The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest trade group, has offered the International Center for Agricultural Studies of Israel to assist in contacting Filipino graduates who completed a one-year internship in the Israel International Center for Agricultural Studies.
PCCI will help the alumni to network with local agriculture sectors to find work and apply their knowledge in animal and horticultural sciences with growers and livestock producers.“Applying their knowledge in farming high-value produce would translate to higher productivity,” said Barcelon. “They would also augment farmers’ incomes.”
He met last week at the PCCI office with Yaron Tamir, CEO of the Israel Center; Hadas Nissan, deputy Head of Mission of the Israel Embassy; and Inbal Shoval, COO of the Center. With Barcelon were Donald G. Dee, COO of PCCI, and William Co, director-in-charge of the agriculture committee of PCCI, respectively.
Since 2011, the Israeli Center has been host to about 500 Filipino agriculture students from 29 colleges and universities to undergo hands-on training and theoretical studies in Israel farms.
Barcelon cited Israel as a major exporter of fruits and vegetables, although deserts accounted for more than a half of Israel’s land mass
“We should apply Israel’s scientific techniques to effectively farm even on dry land and limited water resources,” he said.
“This would help propel our country and to become a major exporter of farm produce,” he added.PCCI COO Donald Dee said the Philippines could replicate the success of the Israeli-led dairy project in Vietnam.