June 24th – July 5th, 2024
Background
Extension has long been grounded in the diffusion model of agricultural development, in which technologies are passed from research scientists via extensionists to farmers (FAO).
To farmers, extension is a form of assistance to help improve their know-how, efficiency, productivity, profitability, and to promote the wellbeing of their family, community, and society. To politicians, planners, and policy makers in many developing countries extension is a policy instrument to increase agricultural production, to achieve national food security, and, at the same time, to help alleviate rural poverty. To field extension agents, agricultural extension enhances and accelerates the transfer of useful know-how and technologies to rural people. All these objectives may be achieved through nonformal education and training programs and two-way technology transfer and feedback systems. Agricultural extension has become recognized as a mechanism for delivering information and advice as an essential “input” into modern farming
The advancement of the Israeli agricultural sector depends, largely, on a unique model known as the 'holy triangle’, which includes three partners: farmers, agricultural extension and researchers.
In this model cooperation takes place between the partners with the aim of learning from each other, contributing to each other, and finding solutions to problems directly related to Israeli agriculture, efficiently, quickly and without arguing. The key to the success of this model rests on a continuous and direct transfer of information taking place in all directions; between learned and motivated farmers and the agricultural training personnel; and among researchers in agricultural research who carry out the
experiments conducted in their field of expertise together with the farmers and/or the agricultural extension agents. All partners participate in the creation and dissemination of new knowledge.
About the program
Aims
This training program aims to convey and share with participants, Israel’s experience and holistic approach to the development of extension systems. The knowledge gained by the participants can be used to improve extension services operational planning and programs, and to introduce participative approachesand extension methods.
The course also intends to create a framework for discussion and analysis to evaluate possible adaptation of new strategies and technologies to the conditions of each participating country.
Main Subjects
The training program will include professional lectures and field visits on:
The role of extension in sustainable agricultural development
• Planning extension programs
• Developing and delivering extension programs
• Participative approaches in extension
• Evaluating extension programs
• Strengthening research-extension-farmer linkages
• Regional research and development stations
• Introduction to the Israeli National Agriculture Extension Service
General Information
Arrival and Departure
Arrival date: 24th June, 2024
Official opening: 25th June, 2024
Official closing: 4th July, 2024
Departure date: 5th July, 2024
Participants must arrive to Israel on the arrival date, and leave on the departure date .
Early arrivals/late departures if required, must be fully coordinated in advance with the Embassy of Israel. Participants will have to cover any additional costs that may be incurred from early/late arrival/departure.
Location and Accommodations
The training program will take place at or near MATC - MASHAV's International Agricultural Training Center in Kibbutz Shefayim, situated 20 km north of Tel Aviv and near the coastal city of Netanya. Participants will be accommodated in double rooms on FB basis. (The specific hotel to be confirmed)
MASHAV awards a limited number of scholarships. The scholarship covers the cost of the training program including lectures and field visits, full board accommodation in double rooms, health insurance and transfers to and from the airport. Airfare and daily allowance are not included in the scholarship.
Application Requirements
The course is geared towards professional's involved in agricultural extension. Candidates should hold an academic degree in relevant disciplines, and have at least two years of professional work experience in related fields. A full command of English is required.
Application forms
The application must be conducted through the nearest Israeli Embassy or Diplomatic Mission. The application form, together with all the required documentation (Copy of the professional title, health declaration, recommendation letter from the employer) must be sent to the embassy by May 31st , 2024.
For any additional information, please contact the International Cooperation desk, at the Embassy of Israel in your respective country.
General Health Services:
1. MASHAV'S Medical form/declaration must be completed and submitted to the Embassy of Israel together with the application form.
2. MASHAV'S Medical insurance covers only medical services and hospitalization in case of emergency. It does not cover the treatment of chronic or existing conditions, specific medications taken by the participant on a regular basis, dental care and eyeglasses. Participants will be responsible for all other expenses, which are not covered by the insurance policy. Israeli Health authorities recommend that all visitors to Israel make sure they have been vaccinated against tetanus in the last ten years
About MASHAV
MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation is dedicated to providing developing countries with the best of Israel’s experience in development and planning. As a member of the family of nations, The State of Israel is committed to fulfilling its responsibility to contribute to the fight against poverty and to the global efforts to achieve sustainable development. MASHAV, representing Israel and its people, focuses its efforts on capacity building, sharing relevant expertise accumulated during Israel's own development experience to empower governments, communities and individuals to improve their own lives. MASHAV’s approach is to ensure social, economic and environmental sustainable development, and is taking active part in the international community’s process of shaping the Post-2015 Agenda, to define the new set of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). MASHAV’s activities focus primarily on areas in which Israel has a competitive advantage, including agriculture and rural development; water resources management; entrepreneurship and innovation; community development; medicine and public health, empowerment of women and education. Professional programs are based on a “train the trainers” approach to institutional and human capacity building, and are conducted both in Israel and abroad. Project development is supported by the seconding of short and long-term experts, as well as on-site interventions. Since its establishment, MASHAV has promoted the centrality of human resource enrichment and institutional capacity building in the development process – an approach that has attained global consensus.
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About MATC
MATC - MASHAV’s International Agricultural Training Center - specializes since 1963 in human capacity building and training programs in the fields of agriculture, water management, environment and rural development. MATC conducts international, regional and country tailor made training programs as well as professional visits, workshops and conferences based on Israel’s development experience, sharing both agricultural know-how, and Israel’s unique spirit of innovation. MATC’s training programs conducted in English, Spanish, French, Russian and Arabic, are specifically designed to improve agricultural production in developing countries, to promote food security and to create partnerships through ongoing international cooperation, for enhancing global sustainable development. To this purpose, MATC works in close cooperation with Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), as well as with Israel’s universities, agricultural organizations, farmers and the private sector.
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