25/08/2026
🇫🇯🤝🇮🇱Expanding the Fiji-Israel Agricultural Cooperation through Agriculture Internship Programme
Jerusalem, Israel – 25 August 2026: The Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in Israel warmly welcomed the first batch of 10 students from the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute (NATI) upon their arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport to commence their 11-month agriculture internship programme in Israel.
His Excellency Jesoni Vitusagavulu, Ambassador of the Republic of Fiji to the State of Israel, together with officials from the Embassy, welcomed the students and conveyed the Embassy’s best wishes as they embark on this important learning and professional development opportunity.
A total of 20 interns from NATI are expected to participate in this exciting new cohort, joining the 14 Fijian interns currently completing their 11-month agriculture internship programme in Israel.
The programme has received a significant boost following the recent announcement by the Government of the State of Israel to increase Fiji’s annual quota of agriculture interns from 14 to 150, commencing from the 2026–2027 cycle.
This expansion is no ordinary achievement as it is the culmination of the negotiation effort dedicated to expose Fiji's youth to the world's leading agricultural innovation hub. Equipping our young people with these advanced, climate-resilient skills is a critical investment in the upgrading of Fiji's agricultural sector and a powerful testament to the flourishing bilateral relations between Fiji and Israel. The practical knowledge, technical skills and exposure gained by the interns in Israel are expected to contribute meaningfully to Fiji’s efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity, innovation and food security.
In preparation for the substantial increase in Fiji’s quota, Fiji Mission in Israel is working closely with relevant stakeholders to maximise this invaluable opportunity by broadening participation beyond NATI. This includes exploring greater participation from the Fiji National University (FNU) College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Koronivia and the Tutu Rural Training Centre in Taveuni. There is also discussion on extending it to our rural youth centres.
The Internship Programme is an important component of the growing bilateral relationship between Fiji and Israel. Beyond the transfer of agricultural knowledge and technology, the programme provides an important platform for people-to-people exchanges, enabling Fijian youths to experience Israel’s advanced agricultural practices while strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.
The Embassy looks forward to supporting the interns throughout their programme and to seeing them return to Fiji equipped with valuable skills, knowledge and experiences that can contribute to the future development of Fiji’s agriculture sector.
We acknowledge with profound gratitude the support provided by the Government of the State of Israel through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the The Ramat Negev International Training Center for Advanced Agriculture, Head of NATI and NATI officials, and our national carrier, Fiji Airways, for making this vision a reality.
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