The Department of Agriculture’s banner program under the Duterte administration is finally getting a huge funding from the Israeli government in what seemed to be a result of the rekindled ties between Manila and Jerusalem.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol revealed on his Facebook page that he and Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz signed on Tuesday the implementing agreement on the two countries’ agricultural cooperation, which included a P44-billion loan from Israel to fund the agency’s solar-powered irrigation project.

Piñol said the implementing agreement was the final output following a series of negotiations between Israel and the Philippines, which began during President Duterte’s visit to Israel in September last year.

“The banner program under the agreement is the transfer of technology, funding and establishment of solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) all over the country funded by a long-term loan of P44-billion being offered by the Israeli government,” he added.

The SPIS obtained the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority’s Investment Coordination Committee in April.

The Israeli government is now completing the installation of two SPIS prototypes in the country that could cater to both small- and large-scale farm lands between 5 hectares (ha) to 100 ha, which are expected to be operational by the end of this month.