The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) wants to continue its partnership with Israel in agricultural internship program.

“A big part of advancing the agriculture sector is technology. Through AgroStudies, aspiring Filipino farmers have a way to learn about Israel’s smart technologies, as well as best business practices and mindsets that translate to success in farming,” TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.

According to TESDA, it signed a partnership with Israel’s Agrostudies International Training Center in 2020. Program beneficiaries undergo an 11-month agricultural internship focusing on advanced farm technologies, horticulture, animal science, and entrepreneurial initiatives.

The first batch went to Israel in March 2021. The current batch, composed of 694 individuals, left the Philippines in December 2024.

In a news release, TESDA said Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss visited Benitez last month, and they discussed future collaborations to further modernize vocational training, particularly for programs in the agriculture sector.

TESDA, meanwhile, said it is currently exploring possible partnership with Botswana in terms of technical-vocational education and training (TVET).

Botswana Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Major General Gotsileene Morake (Ret.), also met with Benitez last month.

The two have discussed potential joint initiatives to enhance skills development in both countries.

Botswana, TESDA said, has been implementing the Vocational Brigades program designed to equip youth with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

“Learning from the experiences of countries like Israel and Botswana helps us strengthen our training programs to better serve Filipino workers and address both local and international workforce needs, ensuring no Filipino is left behind,” Benitez was quoted in the release. (PNA)