Press Release
Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives Chakra Pani Khanal visited State of Israel from 7th May, 2018 to 10th May, 2018 to participate in Agritech 2018, a triennial event at the invitation of H.E Uri Ariel, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Addressing the Special Plenary Session-Agriculture and Food Policies in Arid and Semi-Arid Countries, Hon’ble Minister Khanal said that though Nepal’s agriculture is a major pillar of economic sector contributing one third of GDP, two third of employment and mainstay of rural livelihoods, Nepali agriculture is handicapped by failure to embrace technological advancement, limited infrastructure facilities, youth migration and adverse effects of climate change. He urged for the support and cooperation of international communities and development partners to achieve the envisioned goal of Nepal.
Hon’ble Minister also held meeting with his Israeli counterpart, H.E Uri Ariel, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. In the meeting Hon’ble Minister Khanal sought Israeli support in building Agriculture Center of Excellence in Nepal. Hon’ble Minister Ariel met the request with open arms and said that Nepal should present a detailed roadmap that would include Agriculture Center of Excellence as well as any other fields that need Israeli support and Israel is willing to extend them.
Hon’ble Minister Khanal visited Moshavs (communal farming) to observe Israeli farming, water recycle plants and reservoirs for agricultural irrigation. He also attended an event marking 60 Years of MASHAV-Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Khanal also interacted with Nepali Community working in Israel during a ceremony held in his honor by Embassy of Nepal, Tel Aviv.
11th May, 2018
Tel Aviv, Israel