Minister Han Changfu met with Mr. Yair Shamir，Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel in Jerusalem on June 11th, 2014. A minutes was signed after the meeting.
Minister Han noted that Israel's agriculture is of high-level agricultural technologies, and is a world leader in water-saving dryland farming technologies. China is developing its modern agriculture. In the context of building a Silk Road economic belt and a 21st-century maritime Silk Road, a initiative launched by China in 2013, China-Israel agricultural cooperation enjoys greater opportunities and broader cooperation potentials.
Moreover, Minister Han put forward the following proposal for further bilateral cooperation:
First,to establish an Agricultural Cooperation Working Group as a regular dialogue platform and long-term cooperation mechanism;
Second, to set up a research collaboration center or lab for joint research projects;
Third, to support the development of modern agriculture demonstration park in Ningxia, China;
Fourth, to conduct cooperation prioritized in water-saving dryland farming technologies, grain production and horticulture, integrated system of irrigation and fertilization in fruit cultivation; and
Fifth, to exchange visits of technicians, and jointly hold training activities on agricultural technology and management.
Shamir fully agreed with Minister Han on his comments and proposal. He wished that future cooperation with China in dryland farming, agricultural research and investment would further promote agricultural development of both countries.
During his visit to Israel, Minister Han also paid visits to research institutes, universities, farms,and farmers' cooperatives.