HP looks for foreign collaboration to improve farm technologies

“The Israel government was keen on entering into an MoU with our government in the water management sector. However,we have left that for future as the process has to be routed through the Government of India,” said Dhumal.

After observing the computerised monitoring of cultivation in Israel’s polyhouses,he said,the state was considering an economic feasibility study of propagating such technology through the ongoing Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Krishi Smridhi Yojana. This government scheme provides subsidy to farmers to encourage cultivation in polyhouses — large enclosures made of polythene and bamboo sheets in the fields,under which the crop like flowers and vegetables are safe from vagaries of the weather.

“The three basic features being propagated here under the scheme,including setting up of polyhouses,sprinkler and drip irrigation are the same in Israel. But we would certainly like to advance towards having computerised monitoring,though it may take a very long time. The possibilities on this front will be certainly worked out and the government will play an active role in technology transfer,” said Dhumal.

Comparing Himachal’s agriculture and horticulture economy with Israel,the CM outlined the scope for technological collaboration to increase productivity within the limited available resources of land and water.

He said: “The farmers here are progressive,but do not have opportunity to learn newer technologies. This is where the government will try to step in and educate them. We are open to sending our technocrats and farmers to Israel to study their process of water management and have also invited them to come and give demonstrations in Himachal.”