The progress of three projects of great impact on the issue of water and technology for agricultural production, which are being carried out with the Government of Israel through the Embassy in Panama, were reviewed during a meeting held by the Minister of Agricultural Development, Augusto Valderrama with the Israeli ambassador to Panama Itaí Bardov, along with the work teams.
During the meeting, where Vice Minister Alexis Pineda participated, the rector of MIDA highlighted that if Panama wants to do something in the agricultural sector, it must copy the model applied by Israel in the water generation, irrigation and agricultural management of this country. .
He added that one of the fundamental issues for the agricultural sector is water since with the problem of Climate Change and situations of major droughts and floods that occur worldwide, we must be prepared and that the country that can provide rapid technology and more precisely to Panama is Israel, also with a view to it becoming a technology “hub” for all third world countries in Latin America.
Valderrama pointed out the interest in formalizing the three agreements that are fundamental for the agricultural sector, such as the management of surface water in the dry arc, which is promoted with the Institute of Agricultural Innovation of Panama (IDIAP), the water underground with the Technological University of Panama and the Center of Agricultural Excellence in El Ejido de Los Santos, with MIDA and IDIAP.
He thanked all the effort that has been made during these 5 years, the excellent relationship that has been had with the government of Israel, its people and the Embassy officials, who have been willing to provide all collaboration to Panama.
For his part, the ambassador thanked the friendship, brotherhood and strong cooperation that has been had with the entire MIDA and IDIAP team. He highlighted that they are ready with all the interest to advance the El Ejido project and the issue of water. He added that the embassy and his country will be open to continuing to support Panama.
The General Director of IDIAP, Arnulfo Gutiérrez, participated in this meeting and explained the progress that has been made in the El Ejido Center of Excellence and the Surface Water Project. Meanwhile, the director of the UTP Hydraulic and Hydroctenic Research Center, José Fábrega explained the progress of the groundwater project.
At the meeting where Isabel Méndez and Shani Buzaglo and MIDA were also present at the embassy, the Technical Secretary, Roy Frías and the Director of Engineering, Milagros Barahona, among others, it was agreed to hold another day to clarify various topics of the agreements.
