Int'l agriculture technology exhibit opens in Tel Aviv

An international exhibition featuring advanced irrigation technologies, harvesting, greenhouse and other agricutlure-related functions opened Tuesday in Tel Aviv.

Speaking at the exhibition opening ceremony, Israeli Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Yair Shamir hoped that the exhibit provide an opportunity for Israel to share its "state of the art" agricultural technologies.

Israel is a small country "most of which is desert where each drop of water counts and where every little piece of fertile land matters," he said. "Against all odds, we managed to develop modern and vibrant agriculture."

The event brought together over 170 firms and institutions from 14 countries and regions, including Spain, Italy, France and China. Most participating exhibitors are from the host country Israel, such as inventor of the dripping irrigation technology Netafim.

On the sidelines of the three-day exhibit, a series of seminars will be held on post-harvest methods and food security, milk safety, advanced agriculture and Israel's agricultural cooperation with some countries.

Addressing a seminar on Israel-China agriculture relations, Ohad Cohen, head of Israeli Economy Ministry's foreign trade administration, said China has become an important market for Israel's agro-technology and he hopes that the exhibit will strengthen ties between the two countries. Enditem