Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, MK Avi Dichter: “Just as in land-based agriculture, we are continuing the important partnership with India in water agriculture as well. Israel and India see eye to eye on a true vision for sustainable food security. This important agreement continues the previous agreement signed between the countries last April, and deals with promoting the agricultural partnership between the countries. I welcome this important step and thank my friend Minister Rajiv for the cooperation.”
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, MK Avi Dichter, and India’s Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Alias Lalan Singh), signed a Letter of Intent today (Wednesday, January 14) aimed at deepening cooperation between the countries in the fields of water agriculture, fisheries, and the blue economy. The signing took place during the arrival of Minister Singh and his delegation at the international conference Sea The Future 2026 for food security in water agriculture, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience are holding this week in Eilat. The signing marks a significant step in expanding professional relations between Israel and India, and lays the groundwork for research, technological, and economic cooperation, with an emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and strengthening food security in both countries.
According to the declaration, cooperation between the countries is expected to focus on promoting advanced technological research and development in water agriculture, including in closed cultivation systems, bioplot (a cultivation method in which natural microorganisms improve food utilization efficiency and reduce the need for water exchange), marine cultivation facilities, aquaponics (an integrated system for raising fish.
and plants together), and algae cultivation. Furthermore, the countries will promote joint research for the development of pathogen-free fish strains, which are strains that are more resistant to diseases, and allow for more stable and efficient cultivation over time.
Israeli innovation is also at the center of this initiative: the cooperation will include smart management of water resources through advanced Israeli water-saving technologies, alongside encouraging connections and collaborations between startups from Israel and India in the fields of water agriculture and fisheries. These steps are intended to promote innovation and strengthen the blue economy, while positioning Israel as a leading player in water technology development.
The Letter of Intent also includes strengthening trade between the countries, through professional dialogue that will help promote exports and imports and deal with trade barriers, in accordance with international trade rules. It was also agreed to examine the establishment of joint centers of excellence for India and Israel in the fields of water agriculture and fisheries, following the successful model of the joint agricultural centers of excellence already operating in India. Within this framework, the parties will continue to examine a future signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in order to strengthen cooperation between the countries.
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