Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of the Indo-Israeli Centre of Excellence for Vegetables Protected Cultivation, intended to boost agricultural activities with the help of the latest Israeli technologies. The Rs 10.33 crore project was initiated at Khetri on the outskirts of Guwahati city in presence of Israeli Ambassador to India, Ron Malka.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that it would be a value addition to the government’s efforts to double farmers’ income through infusion of technology in agriculture, agri-business and food processing. He expressed hope that the Centre would provide a major boost to agricultural and horticultural production in Assam leading to greater economic rewards to state’s farmers.

Sonowal said that farmers will now be able to export fruits and vegetables to places like Dubai, London, Bangkok, Abu Dhabi and several other international destinations. He also laid emphasis on the Central government’s plan to make northeast India an organic hub and elaborated on the initiatives taken by the state government in this regard.