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In the arid deserts of Israel, where water scarcity has always been a way of life, necessity has birthed some of the world’s most advanced water technologies. Today, these innovations are reshaping agriculture thousands of kilometres away in the diverse fields of India. From the dry plains of Rajasthan to the fertile deltas of Andhra Pradesh, Israeli water expertise is quietly driving a new revolution in Indian farming, enhancing productivity, improving water efficiency, and offering solutions to one of the 21st century’s most pressing challenges: feeding a growing population with limited natural resources.
A Natural Partnership Born of Necessity
India and Israel might appear very different on the map — one a vast subcontinent with 1.4 billion people, the other a tiny nation in the Middle East — yet they share common challenges: water scarcity, drought-prone regions, and the need to sustain large agricultural sectors. Agriculture remains a vital part of both economies. In India, it employs over 40% of the workforce and contributes nearly 20% of GDP. However, with over 60% of farmland dependent on monsoon rains and water tables falling across major agrarian states, sustainable water management has become a national priority.
Israel, by contrast, has turned its chronic water shortages into an opportunity for innovation. Through decades of research and development, it has created cutting-edge solutions in drip irrigation, desalination, wastewater recycling, and smart farming — technologies that are now finding a second home in India.
The Drip Irrigation Revolution
One of Israel’s most significant contributions to Indian agriculture is drip irrigation — a system that delivers water directly to the roots of plants, drop by drop, drastically reducing water wastage. Israeli engineer Simcha Blass pioneered the technique in the 1960s, and today companies like Netafim, a global leader in micro-irrigation, are deeply embedded in Indian agriculture.
Since entering the Indian market in the 1990s, Netafim has transformed how farmers irrigate their crops. Fields that once relied on flood irrigation wasting up to 60% of water — are now watered with pinpoint precision, saving up to 50% water while increasing yields by 20-40%. From sugarcane farms in Maharashtra to pomegranate orchards in Karnataka, drip irrigation has made agriculture not only more water-efficient but also more profitable.
Centres of Excellence: Knowledge at the Grassroots
Technology transfer alone is not enough farmers must also be trained to use it effectively. Recognising this, India and Israel launched the Indo-Israel Agricultural Cooperation Project in 2008. Under this flagship initiative, over 30 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) have been established across Indian states.
These centres serve as demonstration hubs and training facilities where local farmers learn about precision irrigation, greenhouse cultivation, fertigation (the combined use of fertilizers and irrigation), and post-harvest techniques. In Haryana, for example, the Gharaunda Centre of Excellence for vegetables trains thousands of farmers annually in protected cultivation, enabling them to produce higher-quality crops with less water and land.
The collaboration is also evolving beyond irrigation into the realm of smart agriculture. Israeli start-ups and agri-tech companies are introducing digital tools that use sensors, satellite data, and AI to optimise water use. For instance, remote sensing technologies can now detect moisture levels in soil and trigger irrigation only when necessary, further conserving water and energy.
Additionally, Israeli innovations in wastewater treatment and reuse are offering solutions for Indian states struggling with polluted water sources. Israel recycles nearly 90% of its wastewater the highest in the world and similar models are being explored in Indian cities for urban-agriculture linkages.
Boosting Farmer Incomes and Climate Resilience
The impact of these technologies goes beyond water efficiency. With higher yields, reduced input costs, and improved crop quality, farmers’ incomes are rising. Moreover, the shift to water-smart agriculture is making Indian farming more resilient to climate change, where erratic monsoons and prolonged droughts are increasingly common.
For example, in parts of Gujarat, farmers using Israeli drip irrigation systems have doubled their income from banana and vegetable cultivation. In Andhra Pradesh, protected farming techniques taught at Israeli CoEs have enabled year-round cultivation of export-quality capsicum and tomatoes, improving both local livelihoods and supply chain stability.
India-Israel agricultural cooperation stands as a powerful example of how technology partnerships can address global challenges. It is not merely a transfer of tools, but a sharing of knowledge, innovation, and vision. As both nations deepen their strategic ties from water technology to solar energy agriculture remains a cornerstone of their collaboration.
Looking ahead, the focus will likely shift towards scaling up precision agriculture, integrating AI and IoT solutions, and expanding joint research on drought-resistant crops and water-efficient techniques. With the right policies and continued collaboration, Israel’s expertise could help India achieve its ambitious goals of water security, food sufficiency, and sustainable growth.
The story of India and Israel’s agricultural partnership is more than just a tale of technology it is a narrative of adaptation, innovation, and shared resilience. By harnessing Israeli water technologies, India is not only transforming its farms but also securing the future of its food systems in a warming, water-stressed world.
In the words of an Israeli scientist visiting an Indian field trial, “Water scarcity is not a curse it is a challenge. And with the right innovation, it becomes an opportunity.”
The Author is the research Scholar of Agriculture: Dr. Arshad Beg