QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Opportunities in agriculture are expanding for young Filipinos thanks to international collaborations.
In its 211th episode of Agri Asenso, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) introduced a new gateway to global agricultural learning: the Philippine-Israel Internship Program. Development Management Officer Althea Perez explained how this initiative empowers young Filipino farmers with practical experience, modern techniques, and socio-economic strategies that strengthen the country’s farming industry.
The Philippine-Israel Internship Program traces its origins back to 2006 when a memorandum of agreement was signed with five State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), including Pampanga Agricultural College and Tarlac Agricultural University. Initially managed by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and later Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the program found new momentum in January 2025 when ATI signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Agrostudies, an Israeli institution specializing in agricultural training.
The partnership allows Filipino trainees—alongside participants from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, India, and Vietnam—to immerse themselves in advanced agricultural practices. With over 4,042 graduates to date, the program is steadily transforming the skills and perspectives of young farmers.
“Aside from the hands-on training, interns also receive financial support through wages of at least $9 per hour for an eight-hour workday. This translates to a monthly income of approximately ₱80,000, enough to cover expenses while allowing them to send financial aid back home to their families in the Philippines,” shares Perez.
Interns bear the cost of airfare, but ATI ensures their return ticket cost can be deducted from their earnings, easing the financial burden. With this setup, aspiring farmers can learn, earn, and invest in their futures without unnecessary hardship.
Beyond being an internship, this program signals a shift toward agricultural excellence. Interns are exposed to current farming practices, marketing strategies, and socio-economic methods—methods they can utilize when they return home to the Philippines to enhance the nation's agriculture.
With the growing demand for sustainable agriculture, initiatives like the Philippine-Israel Internship Program are a testament to the assurance by the government to equip the country's next generation of farmers with the necessary equipment needed to be successful - towards a Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.
