Karnal (PTI): A delegation of 28-member from Israel led by Agriculture Minister of Israel, Shalom Simhon visited new food grain market here on Sunday.

The members of the delegation interacted with the farmers and traders of Karnal about agricultural produce.

The Marketing board arranged an open auction of paddy in their presence. The delegation evinced keen interest in the ongoing auction of paddy.

The agriculture minister asked what will be the price of paddy in the open market.

The delegation also took keen interest in the Basmati rice which is exported to many a countries.

Assistant Agricultural Marketing Advisor, Government Lallan Rai, who was accompanying the delegation told them that the basmati rice of this area was very popular and exported to a number of countries including the US,Canada and Saudi Arabia. Deputy Commissioner B.S.Malik offered a woollen shawl to the Agricultural Minister on behalf of the district administration as a token of respect.

Later, the delegation visited the National Diary Research Institute Karnal.