In the initial phase a pilot project involving the state's food processing industries and horticulture department and Agricultural Development Company (International) Ltd, (Agridev) of Israel.

Agridev, a company engaged by Israel's ministry of agriculture and rural development is a government owned company engaged in transfer of agriculture and farm technology to many countries in the Europe, Africa and Latin America for the last two decades.

West Bengal Consultancy Organisation (Webcon) the local consultants of the project has already done soil and water test in the districts last November which is the initial work for the three member team from Agridev. The areas selected are under drought prone area programme and Agridev has also expertise in dry farming technology.

Agridev and a member from ministry of agriculture is on a final trip to make more detailed tests and prepare a feasibility study for the project after studying any three sites. The total investment in the pilot farms are in the range of Rs 10- Rs 20 crore.

Arye Volk, deputy managing director of Agridev, leader of the delegation and also representing the ministry of agriculture told The Financial Express: "This project will make high quality, high yield flowers and vegetables pilot project under a demonstration basis for export in the world market. The investment in each farm is pegged to be Rs 5- Rs 10 crore".

He said: "West Bengal has the potential to make a mark in flower and vegetable exports which can be grown in the dry land regions of the state with application of technology from Agridev, a pioneer for the growth of Israel's agriculture exports."

Arnon Kaplan, civil engineer from Agridev said: "The project will a combination of both greenhouse and open farming procedure called `flitigation' farming. The project will set a base of technology for farmers in Bengal in the dry land region of the state."

"Agridev has proven technology for dry land farming, livestock & crop production, fungus and pest proof high yield variety of seeds. The company has also major technology advances in aquaculture, fruit production, dairy farming, poultry and irrigation," says Kaplan.