This morning, the joint training course on "Postharvest Technology of Perishable Crops", the fourth phase of the cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Development Cooperation Program between Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) and Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA), was opened by Mr. Yuval Waks, Chargé d'affaires ad interim, the Embassy of Israel and Dr. Naroon Waramit, Assistant to the President for Academic and International Affairs, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus.
The two weeks course aims to enhance knowledge and skills of growers, producers and exporters of perishable crops, and ultimately, reduce postharvest losses. Through the cooperation under the above MoU, Israel and Thailand mutually share extensive experiences and expertise with agricultural professionals in ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, Timor Leste and Thailand.
Israel is considered to be one of the world’s leading pioneers in agro-technology industry. The lack of the country’s natural resources, shortage of water, and the scarcity of arable land led to the development of cutting-edge technologies and products in a multitude of agricultural fields.
Dr. Ron Porat Ph.D., Israeli Scientist in Postharvest and Food Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Volcani Center, summarized at the opening ceremony that appropriate post-harvest treatments, including sanitizing, disinfesting, cooling and modifying atmosphere maintained freshness over long postharvest journeys. Adequate application of optimized postharvest treatments could also reduce losses, and therefore, maximize producer profits.
