Gilad

Agrofresh

Hi, my name is Gilad and together with a great team, we grow organic Medjool dates, bell peppers, chili peppers, mangos and tomatoes for Nature & More here in Israel.

Agrofresh Pro Ltd was set up in 2002 in order to help top class organic farmers to continuously to develop themselves as well as finding a market for their products. Today we work closely with ten passionate growers.

Coming from Israel I am often asked about my point of view regarding the political situation here. For me we are all the same, we all want the best for our children, to live in peace and to be healthy. The massive majority in this region whether from Israel or Palestine do not want war and conflict. The war is created by people who take their religion too seriously. There are so many places here in Israel where we live in harmony with each other.. This makes me optimistic as we are showing that it is possible.

Interview with Gilad

Why did you choose to get involved in agriculture ?
What I love about this sector is that it is so diverse, taking care of the soil, having the right seeds, ensuring proper irrigation, packing, shipping etc. During my travels around the world, when I was younger, I learned to appreciate the beauty of nature and the importance of biodiversity and this is also something I find very appealing about farming.

Why did you choose to “go organic”?
What I learned from working in a Kibbutz is that community, ideology and collaboration is more important than just money. Of course organic agriculture is also about making money but there is so much more involved. The positive impact that this type of farming has on the environment and the communities is something that I find very appealing.

What makes the Date is special?
The Date is a versatile fruit that is not only loved for its remarkably sweet taste but also for its health benefits. Dates contain many minerals, vitamins and important trace elements. The benefits of dates are numerous for people young and old. It is truly a magical super fruit.

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soil

To preserve our soils and to ensure the plants get all the nourishment they need we work with premium compost. Of course we some grower rotate our crops with oats and other fodder variety for example. This special crop puts the nutrients back into the soil.

biodiversity

Biodiversity starts with healthy, vibrant, living soils and this is where our growers focus on. We see the effect in the fields and greenhouses. In the morning we sometimes see dessert wolves and the trees receive a lot feathered friends!

society

We have created a safe, clean and healthy living and working environment for the workers with fair wages and benefits. On our farms we have a lot of workers from Thailand. We provide them with housing and of course a good salary and benefits

economy

Regarding the economic side of things, I believe modern society has lost our understanding on the value of sustainability.

climate

Organic farming is often used as an example of climate smart agriculture. This is because organic farmers do not use artificial fertilizers and other agrochemicals that produce great amounts of CO2 during production. More importantly, because organic farmers invest in healthy, vibrant soils, the soil is able to sequester carbon. Healthy soils also lead to a better water holding capacity in times of drought and better run off due to the soil structure in times of heavy rains.

water

Water is a huge challenge in the whole Middle East region. There is very little rainfall and we need to protect the groundwater below our feet. That is why we work with high quality compost and drip irrigation. The compost acts like a sponge and holds the water until the plant needs it.

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