Ambassador Ilan Fluss visited Tarlac for a familiarization tour of the existing agriculture projects of Israel in the province as part of the Israeli government’s push for continuous and stronger partnership with the Philippine’s agricultural sector.
“Israel is a hub of innovation and technology in the agriculture field. We want to share our know-how with the Filipinos to help unleash their potential and to work together in maximizing the potential while using smart and innovative technology,” Ambassador Fluss said. “The impressive display of the adoption of Israel’s technology in the province of Tarlac is commendable,” he mentioned.
The courtesy visit commenced with a courtesy call at the Office of the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) President, Dr. Max. P. Guillermo together with Mayor Erlon C. Agustin of the Municipality of Camiling and a representative from the Department of Agriculture. It was followed by a tour of several laboratories and centers in TAU. Ambassador Fluss also planted, pollinated, and harvested several climate-resilient crops including Israeli varieties grown in the facility of Sustainable Mechanized Agriculture for Research and Technology (TAU SMART) Agriculture Center and met with the Agro Studies and MASHAV alumni. “The produce are of high quality, they are competitive for the international market,” Ambassador said.
“Every year, Filipino students train in Israel for 11 months to practice smart agriculture under a training program offered by Agro Studies,” Ambassador Fluss said. “Israel offers advanced technologies and innovation in farming that it aims to share with the Philippines to contribute to its goal of attaining sustainability and food sufficiency in the country,” he added.
MASHAV is Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation. Filipinos in various fields were trained in Israel to further their skills in the areas of agriculture, public health, entrepreneurship, innovation among others.
Moreover, Ambassador Fluss observed the free-range chickens on-site and the Artificial Insemination Laboratory in the university. TAU staff also demonstrated the processes involved in turning bamboo to innovative products for income generation.
Ambassador Fluss pledged that the Israeli embassy will enhance cooperation with TAU to promote better farm productivity, profitability, and sustainability. He proposed to establish an R&D demonstration site for relevant agriculture technologies. The said PH-Israel sustainable smart agriculture center would emphasize the outreach to farmers and communities in Tarlac to help generate more jobs and income and help eradicate poverty and hunger, while addressing the issues of climate change.
Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Nir Balzam and MASHAV Officer Ms. Gladys Baniqued-Turiano were part of the Israeli embassy delegation.
Source: Embassy of Israel, Manila