At the opening ceremony, speakers including Chaim Alush and Minister of Agriculture Avi Dichter emphasised Ofakim’s strategic importance, describing it as both the geographical centre of Israel and a rising centre of agrotech. They stressed that Israel must continue strengthening domestic food production as the population moves towards an expected 16 million by 2050.

The speakers also outlined the broader challenges facing Israeli agriculture today — including limited arable land, water scarcity, climate pressures, increasing pests and the difficulties of farming in peripheral regions. They noted that the Ministry of Agriculture is investing significantly in reinforcing the sector and supporting farmers, with plans to gradually reduce water prices, ensure access to the necessary agricultural workforce, and prepare additional land for cultivation as conditions permit. A key message was that, as an “island economy,” Israel aims to be as self-reliant as possible in its food supply and reduce dependency on external sources.

The opening remarks also honoured the 52 residents of Ofakim who were killed on October 7, reminding everyone of the loss the city has endured and the importance of supporting its continued development.

Innovation was a major theme throughout the fair. Exhibitors presented advanced solutions designed to help farmers increase yields despite challenging conditions. Strong emphasis was placed on modern greenhouse technologies, precision agriculture and biological pest control. A highlight was Israel’s vision for hybrid farming — combining crop cultivation with solar energy production. In this model, fields grow vegetables and fruits while solar panels installed above them generate electricity, enabling dual-use of land and supporting both food and energy security.

During our tour, we met several standout exhibitors. Pest Dome showcased an eco-friendly device capable of significantly reducing chemical pesticide usage by targeting harmful insects across a radius of approximately 250 m². Another notable company, Origine Seed, with over 20 years of experience, develops and exports high-quality seeds for tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons and other crops to markets worldwide.

For Czech companies, the fair highlighted a number of promising areas for cooperation. Opportunities include exporting Czech agricultural products to Israel, collaboration with Israeli seed developers and greenhouse manufacturers, joint research on water-efficient cultivation, and the application of Czech technologies suitable for Israeli agriculture. Both countries share a strong interest in sustainable, resilient and innovative farming, making this field particularly attractive for future partnerships.

The Embassy looks forward to supporting further connections between Czech and Israeli partners in this dynamic sector.