NINETEEN Filipino delegates were sent by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to undergo modern agriculture training program in Israel.

The students/trainees are expected to soak up advanced agricultural technology and upgrade their skills in agriculture.

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

The group arrived in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

The delegation are still undergoing health protocols before they can participate in the training offered by the Agrostudies wing of the International Center for Agricultural Interns in Israel.

The 19-man team were welcomed by Agrostudies Chief Executive Officer Yaron Tamir at the Ben Gurion International Airport.

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

TESDA will 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.

The training is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by TESDA and Agrostudies on December 16, 2020.

It is also in line with TESDA’s goal of promoting agriculture as one of its banner programs.

TESDA allocated 30 percent of its budget for agriculture and other agri-related skills training.

TESDA Director General Isidro Lapeña expressed high hopes that the students 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 thanked the government of Israel for giving the Filipinos an opportunity to benefit from the program.