Isra-Tech | AgroTech, FoodTech & WaterTech

Centers of Excellence in Agriculture Establishing dozens of demonstration centers which serve as a platform for training, extension and transfer of new Israeli technologies

Photos: MASHAV

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INDIA As part of its capacity building approach, MASHAV, in cooperation with the Israel Water Authority, responded with the deployment of a team and water distribution equipment, which enabled transportation of drinking water from a remote desalination plant to the city center. After a week of training and building of local capacity, the equipment was handed over to the local emergency services. These are still used today in water distribution. At the second phase, MASHAV sent a water hydrologist, Dr. Yaakov Lifshitz, from the hydrological services at the Water Authority. Dr. LIfshitz's mission was to examine the aquifer that served as the main drinking water source for the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco. Subsequent to the flooding, the aquifer was salted and the Israeli experts advised the locals about the restoration process of the reservoir and proper operation of the water pumping equipment. During his mission, the expert discovered additional usable water sources, providing the people of the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco with sustainable tools to get through the crisis. During the recent earthquake in Turkey (February 2023 ), Israel had deployed the second largest humanitarian aid delegation (named “Olive Branches”) to the country. A joint delegation of the Israel Defense Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense comprised of 450 active members, including 140 doctors and nurses, and 150 tons of humanitarian aid consisting of medical equipment, water purification kits, food, blankets etc. For the maintenance and rehabilitation phase, MASHAV collaborated with the Israeli tech industry and provided the devastated province Hatay with advanced water purification equipment. The innovative kits provide water to volunteer centers working with schools and kindergartens, enabling the province to be self-sustained.

MASHAV’s capacity building projects have left their mark As for long term capacity building projects, MASHAV's module is ever evolving and adapts to the needs of the partner country and global markets. In India, MASHAV, built, with its local partners, thirty Centers of Excellence in Agriculture. These demonstration centers serve as a platform for training and transfer of new Israeli technologies; while the local farms produce one harvest per year (two with enlarged investment), graduates of the MASHAV excellence centers report as many as four cycles of harvest per year. Such added economic value is what drives plans to establish two Water Technology Centers of Excellence in India. The Indian government targets the water sector as a key component of its national agenda. Investment in the water market is estimated at 100 billion dollars over the next 5 years. Israel's/MASHAV's unique knowhow in water management, combined with Israeli innovative technological solutions, are likely to serve as an "aid to trade" model and boost economic cooperation between the countries. In the early 1960 's Israel addressed the growing scarcity of freshwater and for the lack of external aid adapted policies to promote innovation in the water sector. Today MASHAV offers it's accumulated knowledge and expertise to partner countries through professional training programs in irrigation, water management, R&D and environmental and climate change. However, predominantly, MASHAV is determined to promote the concept that water is a global resource and thus there is a shared responsibility in management of its sources and in increasing accessibility to all.

For more information: eshlein@mfa.gov.il www.gov.il/en/departments/mashav-office/govil-landing-page

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