This area represents The Negev Foundation's most significant achievement in the promotion of the economic self-sufficiency of the Negev. In spite of technological ingenuity and entrepreneurship, Israeli agribusiness has remained severely underdeveloped, lacking in business acumen and the ability to attract foreign investment capital with strategic partners.

Through its for-profit affiliate, Desert Sweet Technologies, Inc., The Negev Foundation has successfully solicited the interest of several major US vegetable and fruit growers and produce distributors. The Negev Foundation has linked US agribusiness with Negev enterprises and coordinated the first transfer of Israeli agritechnology to Native American Indians.

HOPI COLLABORATION

The Hopi/Israel/US Agriculture Initiative, a project inspired by The Negev Foundation, garnered active leadership support from this westernmost Native American nation of Pueblo Indians to improve their agricultural methods utilizing RNDARC-developed technology. Beginning in 1994, with the visit of Hopi leaders to Israel and RNDARC, the project has conducted feasibility studies, established a demonstration farm, selected viable crops and adapted new desert agricultural techniques on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona.

CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL

The Negev Foundation initiated a dialogue with Chiquita Brands International, followed by a visit to Ramat Negev by Chiquita scientists. Chiquita recognized the opportunity to introduce a new quality product line under the Chiquita brand name once adequate quantities warrant the venture. They also expressed interest in promoting research objectives through philanthropic support.

AGROPOWER DEVELOPMENT, INC.

Agro Power Development, Inc., (APD), is the largest grower of hothouse tomatoes in the US, marketed under the Village Farms™ brand name. In response to a Foundation-sponsored mission to Israel, officials at APD agreed to acquire RNDARC technology for the cultivation of Desert Sweet™ produce and APD is considering funding research by RNDARC scientists at APD hothouse facilities in the United States.

GROW TECH FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT, LTD.

Grow Tech Finance and Development, Ltd. is an Israeli holding company which seeks to promote existing and new agribusiness technologies and products. Its affiliate, Grow Tech Research Development Initiatives, Ltd., (RDI), identifies business opportunities, provides financial and management assistance, and serves as a liaison with the government of Israel. The Negev Foundation provides Grow Tech RDI with access to Israeli research scientists, field-testing, and mutual agribusiness and non-profit partners, while encouraging Negev grantees in turn to utilize Grow Tech RDI as marketing agents.

RAMAT NEGEV REGIONAL COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The Economic Development Corporation was established by the Ramat Negev Regional Council to promote the economic development of the region in the fields of tourism, industry, infrastructure, agriculture and housing. The Negev Foundation assists the Regional Council to expand their business ventures, including international promotion of Desert Sweet™ brand produce by securing contacts for entrepreneurial expansion.

HALUTZA OLIVE OIL

The Negev Foundation funded research on orchard growing in the desert in the 1980’s. A result of that research is Halutza™, a first cold-pressed extra virgin oil made exclusively from olives grown and picked from trees maturing in the Negev desert on Kibbutz Revivim, stimulating the economy of the region.

Halutza, created for the Israeli market 4 years ago, can currently be found in specialty markets throughout Israel, and has been awarded the “# 1 Olive Oil in Israel” prize twice by the Israeli Olive Board. The Negev Foundation is promoting Halutza to the Midwest market as a part of the Foundation’s Ohio-Israel Agricultural Initiative.