The intensive production of vegetables in Israel has become extremely successful due to advanced methods of technology. By the beginning of this century vegetable growing had reached approximately 21% of the total agricultural production. This has been achieved by selecting the correct fertilizers, irrigation methods and the choice of the right varieties.  The technological methods used include soil-less greenhouses fitted with climate control systems which enable the growth of large quantities of vegetables to be grown in desert areas A perfect example of this is that tomatoes grown in these  greenhouses yield an average of 300-300 tons per hectare in comparison to 80 tons per hectare in open fields. Many vegetables that have been modified for the particular climatic conditions of desert areas are grown in open fields such as potatoes, carrots, onions, sweet potatoes and many others including melons and watermelons and a number of others designed for processing industrially. Large quantities of vegetables grown in Israel under various climatic conditions are exported annually.

Advanced technologies have been developed in Israel  to improve both the quality and shelf-life of fruit and vegetables after harvesting.    All types of fruit and vegetables are grown in Israel under various climatic conditions. In parallel post harvesting technologies have been developed to ensure the quality of the produce during the time taken in moving it to Europe which takes 10-14 days by sea and the same technologies are used in cooling controlled storage facilities, in Israel, in order to allow the Israeli consumers to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year.    For more than 30 years subtropical fruits, in particular Mango, Banana and Avocado have been grown. A large quantity of these high quality fruits are exported to European markets. Even though these types of fruit trees are normally cultivated in subtropical areas they have been successfully grown in Israel in asemi arid climate and in the lowest valleys by using growth control and fertigation via irrigation systems.   Amongst program subjects available will be preparation for export as well as quality assurance regulations and information programs about the successful growing and harvesting of Banana’s, Mango’s and Avocado’s and other sub tropical fruit varieties as well as the development of long shelf life development of fruit and vegetables including peppers and cherry tomatoes. There will also be programs available in connection with Plasticulture, pest management and trends in fresh crop post-harvesting research and development.

Preparation for export; quality assurance regulations

Mango orchard; fertilization and harvest timing

Trends in fresh crop post-harvesting research and development

Banana plantation; irrigation and wind protection technologies

Cooling marketing chain; from farm to consumer

Long shelf life variety development; Pepper and cherry tomato

Integrated pest management (IPM ) in Citrus

Avocado agro technologies; propagating, pruning and irrigation control systems

Plasticulture in Israel

Sorting and packing of fresh produce and "ready to eat" tray for supermarket. Afimilk is a world leader in computerized management systems for modern dairy farms. Afimilk has developed AfiFarm, a modular system for intensive dairy farm management which collects data about individual animals, builds a database, analyses it and generates daily reports. This gives the user real-time information about herd health, milk production and milk quality and other critical factors, thus providing a high quality decision-making tool.

MAIN GOALS : Upgrade the professional level of the participants regarding good management practices for high-yielding dairy cows.

Transmit professional concepts on the main subjects related to husbandry and management of high-yielding herds.

Visit to local dairy farms with outstanding professional level. Visits to Feed Centers and other places and institutions of interest.

Monitor the understanding and assimilation of professional concepts by the participants.

Day 1 : Monday, June 16th, 2014 Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Meet & assist through customs by a Vered Hasharon representative. Drive to the Ancient Sea Port of Jaffa, known to be the oldest Seaport in the world. With Jewish legend attributing it to Japheth, son of Noah and the Greek legend to Joppa, daughter of the gods of the winds. It was here in the 8th Century B.C. that Jonah started his journey to Nineveh. Much of Old Jaffa has been lovingly restored and now houses an artists’ colony and galleries, together with the many churches and mosques which make for a unique site.  Drive along the coast, to the Roman city of Caesarea with its amazing excavations. Containing many ruins, most of which date from the Crusader period. Prominent among these are the hippodrome, the Crusader city and the Roman amphitheater. Drive to Tiberias for Dinner & Overnight at Leonardo Hotel. Evening short opening discussion

Day 2 : Tuesday, June 17th, 2014 Morning LectureOrganizing of Dairy production in Israel Lunch Afternoon LectureHeat stress relief methods  Dinner & Overnight at Leonardo Hotel Tiberias

Day 3 : Wednesday, June 18th, 2014 Morning Study TourFeed Center -  Feed centers prepare and supply T.M.R. (Total Mixed Ration) for all types of dairy cows; dry cows, milking cows and heifersCooperative farm: Kibbutz Hanaton dairy farm – meeting with the farm manager. "Kibbutz" cooperative dairy farms in Israel usually have 300-400 milking cows .Lunch Afternoon Study TourVisit of Zuriel dairy plant - Meeting with the manager Dinner & Overnight at Leonardo Hotel Tiberias

Day 4 : Thursday, June 19th, 2014 Morning Study Tour and Lecture:Vet  care: disease prevention, udder health and fertility management Lunch Afternoon Study TourVisit of Degania dairy farm. Meeting with the farm manager Dinner & Overnight at Leonardo Hotel Tiberias

Day 5 : Friday, June 20th, 2014 – Touring in Jerusalem & Bethlehem After breakfast visit to the Mount of Olives with a view over all of ancient and modern Jerusalem, and see the Garden of Gethsemane. Drive to Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus. The town is dominated by the church of the Nativity, built on the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born. Visit to the Shepherd’s Field on the outskirts of Bethlehem where the angels appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. Enter the Old City. Walk through colorful bazaars. Walk the Via Dolorosa also called the way of the cross, Jesus' route from Pilate's judgment hall to Golgotha.   Free time in the old city of Jerusalem for shopping and self-exploring. Dinner & Overnight at Leonardo Hotel Tiberias

Day 6 : Saturday, June 21st, 2014 – Touring the Galilee After breakfast visit the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Visit Capernaum on the northwest shore where Jesus began his preaching career. The town is also well known during Second Temple, Roman and Byzantine periods. Drive to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his early years and visit Mary’s well and the Church of the Annunciation. Afterwards stroll through the market area to visit the Synagogue where Jesus is believed to have preached. Enjoy an afternoon Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner & Overnight at Leonardo Hotel Tiberias

Day 7 : Sunday, June 22nd, 2014 Morning Lecture Feeding and nutrition of Dairy cows Lunch Afternoon Lecture Raising heifers and management of dry cows  Dinner & Overnight at Leonardo Hotel Tiberias

Day 8 : Monday, June 23rd, 2014 Morning Study Tour:   Preparing silage -Visit to corn fields; explanations on corn varieties and drip irrigation system by supervising farm manager Messilot dairy farm- Raising calves in the Dairy farm and practical herd management Lunch Afternoon Study Tour Small family  dairy farm - Visit to Ramat Zvi small dairy farm, meeting with the farm manager Dinner & Overnight at Leonardo Hotel Tiberias

Day 9 : Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 Morning Lecture AfiFarm herd management software Lunch Afternoon Lecture   Afimilk Products: technical aspects  Conclusion talk and certificate ceremony Dinner & Overnight at Leonardo Hotel Tiberias 

Day 10 : Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 Morning at Leisure. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home. This schedule is subject to change according to decisions of the program director.

$2462 per person in shared room Single supplement: 526$ Accommodation in 3* Superior Hotels on HB basis (Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel)  16-25/6/2014 – Tiberias – Leonardo Hotel

Rates include:

Meet and assistance upon arrival and departure.

Transfers and tours in A/C coach as per itinerary requested

Entrance fees as per itinerary requested

English speaking driver & guide as per itinerary

Daily Lunches

3 Agricultural Study Days

3 Agricultural Field Days

1 Full Day Jerusalem – Old City Tour.

1 Full Day Galilee – Sea of Galilee sites + Nazareth.

Rates include:

Any airline tickets, tax    

Extra meals, drinks    

Personal expenses, tips    

Visa to Israel – if needed – 25$ per person – Minimum 10 registered pax.     

Price excludes Medical Insurance – 40$ per person    

Anything that is not mentioned in the item "rate includes"