Filipino youth are being urged to explore careers in agriculture and take advantage of Israel’s internship program aimed at equipping them with modern farming skills.
Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss highlighted that MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, offers an 11-month agricultural internship program designed to provide students with cutting-edge agricultural techniques they can apply in their home countries.
“We want to encourage more young Filipinos, especially university graduates, to join the internship program in Israel. The Philippines needs skilled individuals to boost agricultural productivity and ensure food security,” Fluss said during his visit to MASHAV alumni and Agrostudies graduates at Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU).
The ambassador emphasized that promoting smart agriculture among young Filipinos is crucial in addressing the country’s aging farmer population.
“The average age of farmers in the Philippines is over 55. We need to show the younger generation that agriculture can be a profitable and sustainable career. This will also improve food quality and reduce dependence on imports,” he added.
The internship program enhances students’ skills, professionalism, and knowledge in modern agriculture through hands-on training with Israeli farmers.
TAU Research, Extension, and Training Vice President Edmar Franquera expressed gratitude to Israel for sharing best practices and innovations in agriculture.
“The insights and experiences gained through this program highlight the importance of international cooperation in overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities in agriculture. The expertise brought by our students from Israel has been invaluable,” Franquera said.
During his visit, Fluss also toured TAU’s Sustainable Mechanized Agriculture for Research and Technology (SMART) Agriculture Center, where students demonstrated automated greenhouse operations. One of Israel’s contributions to the facility is a ₱670,000-worth automated drip irrigation system.
Established in 2019, the SMART Agriculture Center supports instruction, research, extension, and production, serving as a hub for agricultural innovation in the Philippines.
