Israeli Ambassador visits Dhading farm to observe Israeli agro-technology in practice

KATHMANDU: Ambassador of Israel to Nepal, Shmulik Arie Bass, alongside officials from the Ministry of Finance and Sana Kisan Bikas Laghubitta Bittiyasanstha (SKBBL), visited an agricultural farm in Jeevanpur, Dhading district.

On Sunday, the team visited the farm of Youddha Prasad Neupane, a prominent Israel returnee student and agripreneur.

According to a statement issued by the Embassy, the visit provided firsthand insights into Neupane's journey, challenges, and best practices in agribusiness using Israeli agro-technologies.

Neupane is an alumnus of the 2013/14 batch of the Learn and Earn Programme at the Arava International Center for Agriculture Training (AICAT) in Israel.

Since his return from Israel, Neupane has significantly expanded his farm and successfully applied Israeli agricultural technologies, including drip irrigation with automation, a fertigation system, mulching techniques, and a high-tech nursery. Notably, he invests only 20% of his income in Israeli technology while achieving outstanding results.

Farmers from neighbouring areas are learning from his techniques, and he continues to inspire the local agricultural community, the statement added.

The visit underscores the strong agricultural cooperation between Nepal and Israel and highlights the success of the Learn and Earn Programme in empowering Nepali farmers with innovative and modern farming techniques.

Since 2001, more than 4,000 students from farming families associated with SKBBL and other institutions have been trained in modern agriculture in Israel under the Learn and Earn Programme.

Neupane was also declared the second Krishi Tara winner and was awarded a cheque for Rs 500,000 along with the winner's certificate.

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