Israel-RP officials vow to pursue technology transfer for agriculture

SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija, Nov. 17 — Ranking Israeli officials have committed to pursue technology exchange program on agriculture with the Philippine government, particularly in rural farming.

Israeli Consul to the Philippines Yifat Shriki and Israeli Deputy Chief of Mission Yaniv Revach made this commitment following their recent visit to an eggplant demonstration field in the far-flung barangay of Rang-ayan of this city.

Accompanied by officials of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Office (PARO)-North Nueva Ecija, the two Israeli officials trooped to an area that is alternately planted to rice.

They vowed to send experts to the Philippines to further teach local farmers about their plastic mat technology on eggplant production.

Agriculturist Navot Haklay said the plastic mat technology is an approach in Israel which cuts water and pesticide requirement, thus drastically reducing production input.

Haklay said that their eggplant varieties named "tedula" and "edna" have been in the country for a couple of years now, bear a kilogram fruit at an average of 20 fruits per planting season.

Its meat, he said, is equal if not superior, to local varieties in taste.

Just like the local varieties, old plants maybe trimmed to rejuvenate and to produce more fruits for additional seasons.

But eggplant production is only one among plants subjected to the technology transfer program.

Haklay said that they have lot more programs which they set to conduct with the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), the local government unit (of Science City of Munoz), the PARO and other agencies.

Fred Paraguizon, a farmer who served as village head for 18 years, said that initial adoption of the plastic mat technology resulted to some 30 percent decrease of his production cost.

Paraguizon himself took a series of trainings to advance his knowledge in vegetable farming. (PNA)

FFC/zst/AG/ps

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