Three weeks ago, I was invited to speak at the opening of an on-line lecture series on Modern Methods of Pressurized Irrigation and Fertigation in Tropical Regions conducted by the Agricultural Training Center of Israel’s Agriculture Ministry, Mashav with participants from countries around the world.
As the only Cabinet Minister invited to the opening along with Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Rafael Harpaz, and the head of Mashav ATC Training and Capacity Building, Ambassador Irit Savion Waidergorn, I showed my courtesy to the event organizers by listening to the opening lecture of Israeli irrigation and fertigation expert Roy Peleg.
At the end of the 2-hour lecture, I was so fascinated by what I had learned that I asked my staff, Mayette Tudlas, to contact the Israel Embassy in the Philippines and ask if I could be officially included in the list of participants.
I was officially enrolled and I am now among the students from the different countries around the world learning a lot from the lectures.
The 5-lecture series conducted every Wednesday night (Philippine time) was on its third lecture last night with Agronomist Daniel Hadad speaking on Agro-Meteorology.
He talked about how solar radiation, evaporation, transpiration, humidity and wind affect the plant’s productivity using empirical equations which sent my brains swirling.
But beyond the dizzying equations, I had a quick realization that the Filipino farmers of old, including my grandfather, Jose, and father, Bernardo, had actually practiced agro-meteorology in the past.
By observing the lunar shapes, rainfall pattern and planting schedules to avoid the attack of plant pests, the farmers of old had a deep understanding of agro-meteorology.
The farmers today, however, face a more complex problem because while the farmers of old knew exactly what time of the year the rains would fall, Climate Change had messed up everything.
I raised this during the question and answer portion of last night’s lecture and Daniel Hadad agreed with me that indeed, farming has been made more difficult now by Climate Change.
Our generation, however, is blessed with more advanced farming technology to address Climate Change and the unpredictability of the weather – Green House Farming and modern pressurized irrigation and fertigation.
With two more sessions left in the 5-weekly on-line classes, I am excited to learn. more to make me understand the complexities of farming and the ways to address the challenges.
#LearningIsNeverEnding!
(Posted here with this article are the screen grabs of last night’s lecture by Agronomist Daniel Hadad of Israel’s Mashav.)
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