Dar, Israel envoy discuss possible agri projects

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it has renewed its partnership with the government of Israel to develop the country’s agricultural industry.

Israel previously committed to bankroll a flagship project of the Duterte administration, the Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS), to the tune of P44-billion.

Once completed, it will have the capacity to irrigate 500,000 hectares of farmland throughout the country and help farmers withstand the next occurrence of El Niño.

DA Secretary William Dar described the SPIS as a “good development” though he cautioned that it still needs “diligent and proper implementation.” He said the DA will have to partner with other stakeholders to ensure the success of the project.

The secretary also disclosed having met with Israel Ambassador to the Philippines, Rafael Harpaz, last week to discuss the SPIS and other potential collaborations.

During the meeting, Dar tackled the eight paradigms he proposed to modernize the country’s agriculture sector. He also proposed for a collaboration between Israel and state university and colleges on the establishment of five advancement centers that can serve as training areas for young farmers.

At present, the Israeli government is finalizing the installation of two SPIS prototypes. The protypes would cater to both small- and large-scale farmlands between five to 100 hectares.

The country has roughly 3.9 million hectares of farmland, with only 1.2 million effectively irrigated. The agriculture department has long been planning to build solar power systems throughout the country to boost rice production.

The project slated to establish a network with 6,200 SPIS units in two years would involve the LR Group, an Israeli firm that would finance the whole program, through a loan payable in 10 years.