Israel technology for AP horticulture farmers

Israel, despite it being a semiarid country with limited water resources and rain-deficit conditions, is a leading producer of agricultural commodities and can provide a model for regions like Anantapur which have better climatic conditions, in matters of technology adaptations.

While Israel has an average of 435mm annual rainfall, Anantapur district has more than 500mm rainfall, and it has emerged as the horticulture hub of the state. The government plans to adopt the advanced technology of Israel along with improved market facilities at global level for the produces from this district. The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture has been launched two months ago. The concept was to form the horticulture farmers into groups to provide them with the necessary financial aid through Nabard and also have direct trading for horticulture produces via tie-up with national and international companies.

Further, the district administration wanted to have MoUs with more number of Israel companies to provide technical assistance because of their successive rigorous research in developing different varieties of hybrid seeds with salient features of immunity and heavy production.

Hindupur horticulture official Sudarshan said an Israel-based research institute came forward to set up a training centre in the district to assist pomegranate producers.

Southern and eastern parts of the district are known for tasty fruits, but the orchards incur losses due to unfavourable conditions including poor technology and less susceptibility.

Collector Kona Sasidhar had agreed to establish the centre on pomegranate crop. As part of the mission, the farmers of crops like sweet orange, mango, grape and vegetables will also get necessary technological support as also direct marketing facilities at their door steps. Groundnut farmers are being encouraged towards taking up dry land horticulture, District Water Management Age-ncy (DWMA) project dire-ctor Nagabnhushanam said.