India on Tuesday asked visiting Israeli Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter to allow import of Indian potato, garlic, turmeric, pineapple and grapes immediately while ensuring similar approval for onions, green chillies, mango and pomegranate at the earliest. Israel, on the other hand, took interest in research activities to develop climate-resilient seeds, particularly of wheat and some other crops, while requesting India to allow citrus and avocado.
India’s request was conveyed to Dichter when he met Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi. Both leaders signed a bilateral pact to extend cooperation in agriculture.
A joint working group will be formed to develop a roadmap focusing on R&D activities with Israeli agency Mashav to develop climate-resilient seeds and improve seed quality, officials said.