02 March 2016 – Philippine Presidential Assistant for Food Security & Agricultural Modernization Fredelita C. Guiza visited Israel from February 24 to 27 to boost food security and modernize Philippine agriculture. The visit of Secretary Guiza was organized by MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation.

On February 25, Secretary Guiza participated in a Roundtable Discussion arranged by the Israeli Export & International Cooperation (IEIC)., where she addressed the CEOs and Vice Presidents of companies engaged in agricultural technology such as irrigation systems and drip technology, desalination, water treatment and management system, environmentally friendly pest control, post-harvest food processing and packaging and digital communication for farmers who were in attendance. Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal G. Imperial also participated in the meeting.

IEIC was represented by its Deputy Director General, Ms. Sabine Segal; and Mr. Gilad Peled, Director for Water, Cleantech and Agro-Technology Department. Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation - MASHAV Ambassador, Hon. Benny Omer, also graced the event. 

During her remarks, Secretary Guiza stated that she was impressed with Israel’s agricultural technology and that she was optimistic that the Philippines and Israel’s strong bilateral relations would lead to more programs and projects that would advance the state of the Philippine agricultural sector and food security, leading to the improvement of the lives of Filipino farmers.

Several Israeli companies offered to make their advanced technologies available to the Philippines to boost agricultural production in the coconut and rice sectors.

A delegation of Israeli agri-tech companies will be visiting the Philippines in March as a follow-up to Secretary Guiza’s recent visit. END