Israeli company to give technical tips to Punjab farmers

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government today gave in-principle approval to a pilot project under which an Israeli company would provide technical knowhow to farmers for boosting crop yield and farm income.

The project would be undertaken in collaboration with Israel-based farming solutions provider ARNA.

Punjab Chief Minster Amarinder Singh today gave in- principle approval for the pilot project to provide affordable technical knowhow to the state's beleaguered farmers for boosting their crop yield and income, and facilitating crop diversification, an official spokesperson said.

The company would provide a state digital agriculture platform with a database of all Punjab farmers, besides tracking their agriculture activities, such as fertiliser usage, timely soil, water and tissue analysis.

The project would be aimed at enhancing crop quality and yield, thereby increasing their capability to repay their debts, the spokesperson said.

Earlier, in a presentation to the Chief Minister, Arik Matlaw of ARNA said the company would provide a comprehensive solution for balanced and optimal use of fertilisers by the farmers.

Expressing concern over the dependence of farmers on selective crops, the company also offered facilitation in crop diversification by providing technical support to encourage farmers to shift towards horticulture, pulses, citrus, maize, and vegetables etc.

Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, meanwhile, offered his Kinnow orchard farm for undertaking the pilot project, and also offered to bear the entire cost involved in the same.

The latest farm practices and techniques that will emerge from the pilot project could be later replicated in other parts of the state, leading to immense benefits for the farming community, he pointed out.