As part of Israel’s economic development cooperation program in the Philippines, the Economic and Trade Office of the Israel Embassy in Manila hosted agricultural seminars in Davao on March 3, and in Manila on March 4. Agriculture Attache Eitan Neubauer from Beijing conducted the seminars on trends and innovations in Israeli horticulture, dairy and livestock, and aquaculture.
Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau said that Israel is a traditional partner of the Philippines in the agricultural sector, with years of exchanges in development programs to support food security and poverty reduction in rural communities.
“Israel has positioned itself as one the leaders in the sector being a major innovation hub and world leader of agricultural technologies. The Philippines is a traditional partner being our complementary economy,” the Ambassador said.
More than 3,000 Filipino professionals have attended various training courses and workshops in Israel in different fields of study, mostly in agriculture. Currently, there are 543 Filipino students from 26 state colleges and universities all over the Philippines who are participating in an 11-month agro-studies program in Israel.
Doron Hemo, head of Israel Economic and Trade Office at the Embassy of Israel in Manila, said that the seminar is part of ongoing activities to highlight Israel’s potential in technology and know-how that is relevant and applicable to the Philippine agricultural sector. He noted that the seminar also aims to promote the 19th International Agricultural Exhibition and Conference that is taking place in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 28 to 30, 2015.
“For the past three decades Agritech Israel has served as a platform for bringing together thousands of foreign visitors from more than 100 countries to interact with the leading international agriculture technology companies. Agritech Israel Exhibition, held once every three years, is one of the leading international events of its kind to showcase Israeli and international agriculture technologies,” Hemo said.
“This year, the Agritech Israel Conference will focus on post-harvest and food loss technologies. As food loss is a major problem in developing countries, participation in this year’s Agritech has the potential to contribute to the Philippines. These technologies can assist to produce more food using the same amount of resources, as well as the opportunity to explore numerous agriculture technological solutions,” he added.