Guwahati, Nov 25: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables at Khetri in Kamrup (Metro) district under the Indo–Israel Agricultural Project, aiming to modernise the state’s agriculture sector.

Speaking at the event, Sarma said the centre represents strong India–Israel cooperation, combining Israel’s advanced agricultural technologies with Assam’s fertile land and committed farming community. He noted that the project involved significant challenges, requiring resources, coordination, and a long-term vision.

The Government of India sanctioned Rs 5.84 crore for the project during 2020–21, with the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) contributing an additional Rs 60 lakh for land development and allied works. Equipped with state-of-the-art irrigation systems and innovative crop management solutions, the facility is built using Israeli technology with central support.

The centre will conduct training programmes for agricultural scientists and farmers to boost horticultural productivity and promote modern farming practices. Sarma urged the state’s youth to actively participate in these capacity-building initiatives.

Officials stated that the centre has already produced over 7 lakh seedlings, including papaya, tomato, marigold, coloured capsicum, lettuce, and broccoli, distributed free among farmers across nine districts. Farmers visiting the facility can learn new irrigation and field techniques adaptable to local conditions.

A key feature of the centre is its automated irrigation and fertigation system, allowing remote control of water and nutrient supply via mobile devices or computers. More than 600 farmers have received training so far, with expected benefits for the agriculturally progressive Dimoria–Sonapur region.

Sarma thanked the Ambassador of Israel to India, Reuven Azar, and Israeli experts for their support in establishing the project, which spans 21.78 acres. The centre includes a 1,200 sq m fan-pad greenhouse with soil-less cultivation, climate and humidity control, and boom irrigation, capable of producing 4.5 lakh high-value vegetable seedlings per production cycle.