COURTESY VISIT. Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss (left) pays a courtesy call on Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Jan. 24, 2025. In an interview on Monday (Jan. 27), Fluss said he wanted to expand their country’s intensive training program on agriculture to reach more provinces across the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Treñas FB)
ILOILO CITY — Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss is pushing to expand Israel’s intensive agricultural training program to reach more provinces across the country.
In a media interview on Monday, Fluss emphasized Israel’s expertise in growing fruit trees, vegetables, and high-value crops using scientific methods, despite not producing rice or grains.
Fluss said he was happy to bring into the province their knowledge through the Agro Studies program, noting that around 700 Filipino interns have participated in their program through a partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
The program, which lasts 11 months, immerses interns in hands-on training with farmers five days a week. One day is dedicated to academic studies and one is off day.
Fluss explained that the program aims to change the interns’ mindset, introducing modern farming techniques in various areas such as fruit trees, cut flowers, and vegetables.
“They see how modern farming is done. They get expertise in different areas, fruit trees, cut flowers, vegetables. The idea is after they come back from their internship in Israel, they would introduce the best practices and knowledge to the Philippines,” he said.
To expand the initiative further, agreements have been signed with the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute, while local governments are encouraged to send more interns.
“We want to see how we can work together and improve Philippine agriculture. That is why we are expanding the partnership,” he added.
He said interns need not necessarily be students, but they could come from projects of local government and private sector initiatives.
He also mentioned that Tesda is considering reintegration support for returning interns to help implement their proposed business plans.
Fluss attended the Dinagyang Festival Sunday and held meetings with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., and representatives from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo and West Visayas State University.
Discussions included plans to invite Iloilo’s private sector and government officials to an upcoming roadshow featuring Israeli technologies and a webinar on education technology by the end of February.
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