Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables at Khetri in Kamrup (Metro) district under the Indo–Israel Agricultural Project, marking a major milestone in Assam's effort to modernize its agriculture sector.
Spread across roughly 16 and a half acres, the state-of-the-art facility includes a 1,200 sq. m fan-pad greenhouse equipped with climate and humidity control systems, soil-less cultivation technology and a boom irrigation mechanism capable of producing 4.5 lakh high-value vegetable seedlings per production cycle. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the inauguration marked a significant day for the state's agriculture sector. He noted that the centre reflects the strength of Indo–Israel cooperation by bringing together Israel's advanced agricultural expertise and Assam's fertile landscape and hardworking farmers.
Sarma said that executing the project involved considerable challenges, as transforming 66 bighas into a world-class facility demanded substantial resources, coordination and a clear vision. The Government of India had sanctioned Rs. 5.84 crore for the project in 2020–21, while APART provided an additional Rs. 60 lakhs for land development and related works. The centre, built with Israeli technology and central assistance, is also equipped with modern and innovative irrigation systems. He added that the facility will offer continuous training programmes for agricultural scientists and progressive farmers, which will help accelerate growth in the state's horticulture sector.
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