To uplift the efforts of horticulture farmers, the State Government has decided to set up two centres of excellence with Israel that will focus on citrus fruits vegetables.

Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma and Ambassador of Israel, Dr Ron Malka took the decision during a conversation on Tuesday.

With support from Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Government of India, one of the centres that will focus on vegetables will be set up in Jongksha village in East Khasi Hills and the other to focus on citrus fruit will be set up in Dawagre, East Garo Hills, the Chief Minister said speaking to media after the discussion.

Israel is a world leader in agriculture technology and the Chief Minister said that the partnership will go a long way in yielding different agriculture and horticultural products in the state. Currently, two Centres of Excellence are operating in the Northeastern region.

The partnership is on a greater scale and that it would be a milestone for Meghalaya which is now a part and parcel of the Indo-Israel strategic relationship, said the Ambassador of Israel.

Dr. Malka said that Israel is eager to bring its technologies and expertise to improve the sector in the Northeastern state.

Costing around INR 10 crores each, the centres of excellence is expected to become self-sufficient in terms of greater crop yield in two years of time.