Mr. Arturo O. Manipon (BSA 1983) CLSUAAI secretary-general; Dr. Jerry Rigos, (DVM ) city veterinarian and concurrently, OIC city agriculturist, Science City of Muñoz; Mr. Ariel Alejo, (BSA ), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Palayan City; and, Mr. Pacifico Galdores (BSAExEd ’70) MARO, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija were four among 20 participants who attended the Fresh Agricultural Produce-Processing and Marketing Training at Shefayin, State of Israel last March 8-25, 2009.

The training aims to find answers and solutions to problems pertinent to marketing of fresh agricultural produce which are of common interest to the participating countries, the Philippines, Thailand and China. Also, it aims to renew modern methods for exchanging accumulated knowledge and experiences.

Israel shared its experiences on the different ways to achieve the best economic results for the producers together with the consumers’ satisfaction. Series of lectures and trips to different private and regional vegetable growers and packing houses for both local and international markets were conducted. The training also focused on greenhouse technologies for vegetables especially high value crops. Participants from the Philippines are expected to take part in the implementation of the Philippine-Israel Center for Agricultural Training (PICAT), a collaborative project between the Philippines and Israel.

The scholarship program is supported by Israel’s Center International Corporation (MASHAV) and the Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation.