31 March 2021
TAGUIG CITY – The 19 Filipino delegates sent by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have safely landed today, March 31, at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and are currently undergoing health protocols before they can start learning more about modernized agriculture under a training program offered by Agrostudies, The International Center for Agricultural Interns in Israel

They were welcomed at the airport by Agrostudies Chief Executive Officer Yaron Tamir.

The participation of TESDA to this program is part of the Memorandum of Understanding between TESDA and Agrostudies signed on December 16, 2020 as well as the Memorandum of Agreement between TESDA and seven participating state universities and colleges (SUCs) signed last December 22, 2020.

This is in line with TESDA’s goal of promoting agriculture as one of its banner programs with the institution allocating 30 percent of its scholarship budget for agriculture and other agri-related skills training.

In his message to the delegates composed of TESDA trainers, Secretary Lapeña expressed high hopes that they will give their best during their training.

“Israel has one of the best agricultural technologies in the world and you are the fortunate ones who will be able to learn and apply it here in order to help not just your family but your province, your region and eventually the whole country. I have always been fascinated with Israeli agriculture and how it can help our country and I found hope in you. Rest assured that whatever you learned from there, TESDA will fully support you once you get back to share your learning with our kababayans here,” he said. 

The TESDA Chief also thanked the government of Israel for giving an opportunity for the Filipinos who will fully benefit from this program as well as help achieve the government’s goal of attaining food sufficiency. 

Agrostudies has been extending the program to the Philippines and other countries. From 2006 to 2016, there were already 6,000 Filipino students who benefited from the program from the country’s 27 SUCs.

It aims to expose Filipino students/trainees to advanced agricultural technology and upgrade their skills in agriculture as well as empower their agribusiness skills.

The delegates will undergo a six-month paid training and among the courses offered are Horticulture, Animal Science, and Entrepreneurial Initiative.

Upon completion, the trainees are expected to contribute in the improvement of the agricultural curriculum of TESDA and other training institutions in the country.

TESDA will also regularly monitor the status and well-being of the Filipino interns during their training. Two more trainers are expected to fly to Israel in a few days to join the delegation. ###

Photos of the delegates before traveling to Israel:

Photos of the delegates when they have arrived in Israel: