The government of Meghalaya state -in north-eastern India-, in collaboration with Israel, will set up two Centres of Excellence (CoE) to improve and promote the livelihood of farmers.

The first centre will be set up at Jongksha village in East Khasi Hills for vegetables. The second centre will be set up at Dawagre in East Garo Hills for citrus fruits, said Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday. The state government had recently entered a partnership with the Government of Israel to establish the CoEs on high-value vegetables in the state to improve and promote the livelihood of farmers.

The centres would be important assets for tapping the diverse biodiversity and resources in the state in terms of its soil and Agro-climatic condition.

Regarding the financial implications of setting up the two centres, Sangma said that talks for setting up the centres are in the advanced stage with the Central Government.

It is quoted him as saying: “We hope that these proposals for setting up the CoE will move forward after this discussion and dialogue with the Israel delegation. We are expecting to complete the entire process at the earliest opportunity.”