Dream Valley

10/12/2024

Is it possible to export mangoes from a country infested with fruit flies?

🌍 100% of mango growers in Africa and significant parts of Asia suffer from severe fruit fly damage, blocking export opportunities due to infested fruit and chemical residues. In such regions, it is routine for farmers to lose 30% to 80% of their crop annually.

At Dream Valley, we realized that to enable significant exports of fresh produce, the fruit must be completely free of fruit fly infestations—without relying on chemical sprays.

That’s why farmers in Dream Valley projects follow a dedicated protocol, the Fruit Fly Certified Trade Zone (FFCTZ) protocol. A key component of this protocol is Biofeed's Freedome technology, enabling effective pest control without spraying, in both tropical and desert environments.

✅ Results:

99% reduction in fruit fly infestations.

100% elimination of fruit fly sprays.

🥭 🥑 High-quality fruit, harvested at optimal ripeness, offering better taste, size, and color—meeting the premium demands of European markets.

📈 Proven Impact: Farmers and other value chain partners have seen their profits after expenses increase by well over 50% through the FFCTZ protocol, combined with our targeted marketing to premium markets in the EU.

If you’re ready to export mangoes and avocados to Europe in 2025, let’s connect before it’s too late.

📩 Contact me:
[email protected]
WhatsApp: +972-54-2523425

Together, let’s make the 2025 season a breakthrough year for your produce and profits.

29/11/2024

Why do so many poverty alleviation efforts fail?

When I began working with smallholders in Africa and India, I thought cutting-edge technology alone could solve their challenges.

Double the yields, double the income—right?

I was wrong!

Years of successes and failures taught me a deeper truth: poverty isn’t just about money or tools. True prosperity thrives when people collaborate voluntarily—not because they have to, but because they want to—toward a shared and meaningful mission. Without this, even the best technology or funding falls flat.

This realization led me to create the Togetherness-Prosperity Principle—a simple yet powerful framework revealing why some communities rise while others remain stuck in poverty.

While initially designed to help rural communities, this principle applies far beyond—to organizations, companies, and even nations.

In this week’s column, I explore how aligning Togetherness with mission-driven goals leads to lasting change. The world doesn’t need more failed projects—it needs systems that work.

Ready to rethink prosperity?

To the column http://messages.responder.co.il/8886259/250947279/2844d9dc122f5558db2c5607621acb8a/

smallholders poverty agriculture principle

24/08/2024

"If we can't see, touch, hear, or smell gravity, does that mean it doesn't exist, impact us, or is insignificant? Clearly not.

In fact, invisible forces are what keep Earth at a precise distance from the Sun, bind the stars in the sky, and hold molecules and atomic particles together. Just like these celestial and molecular forces, human societies are also shaped and influenced by invisible forces, even when we are unaware of them.

The Kibbutz is no exception to this—its success and resilience are driven by these intangible forces that work silently beneath the surface, a fact that should intrigue us all.

While researching the Kibbutz model, I encountered numerous articles, TV programs, books, and podcasts discussing it.

The more I delved into these resources, the more I realized that something crucial was missing from their narratives. It struck me—they all focused almost exclusively on the social, psychological, and emotional aspects of Kibbutz life, particularly on:

1) The separation of children from their parents.
2) The communal sharing of physical goods and belongings.
3) The individual's exposure, vulnerability, and lack of privacy within the community.

These undeniably fascinating topics spark meaningful discussions about community life and human nature, so it wasn't surprising that they were the focal points of most conversations.

In my 35 years in the Kibbutz, the social aspects were often at the center of our discussions from childhood to adulthood.

In contrast, we never once examined the root causes of our economic success—the unique Kibbutz business model and its distinctive ecosystem. Without fully grasping the underlying reasons, we simply trusted in our methods, whatever they were, and attributed any business failures primarily to 'human errors,' much like what can occur in any management scenario, even within the most successful enterprises.

However, while the Kibbutz's social aspects were mesmerizing, brought it fame, and could provide topics for thousands of TV series, its unmatched economic viability and against-all-odds prosperity allowed its social experiments to exist and thrive.

The Kibbutz model survived primarily due to its economic success, which coexisted with its unique social framework.

Since its inception in 1910, the Kibbutz economic model has continuously evolved, introducing multiple disruptive innovations with a business-oriented focus in addition to social innovations.

In simple terms, it created novel rural ecosystems that seamlessly integrated cutting-edge Ltd-era business models into communal life. This integration effectively transformed farming and rural communities from the traditional agricultural framework of the Agricultural Revolution era into a dynamic force within the modern Ltd era.

Remarkably, this transformation took place without introducing new technologies
.."

To the complete column -

If we can't see, touch, hear, or smell gravity, does that mean it doesn't exist, impact us, or is insignificant? Clearly not. In fact, invisible forces are what keep Earth at a precise distance from the Sun, bind the stars in the sky, and hold molecules and atomic particles together. Just like these...

16/08/2024

Does agriculture act and react differently from all other industries?

In this column, I discuss the practical business models in agriculture, the end of the agriculture era, the Kibbutz, and the role of technology in promoting agriculture (you will be surprised to find it is less than you think).

This wealth of information is critical and applies to those working with farmers but, above all, those working in developing countries.

Note that this is Part 2, so if you haven't read Part 1 yet, it's worth starting with it (link below).

How Black Swans, Kibbutz, and Smallholders' Prosperity Are Interconnected - Part 2

http://messages.responder.co.il/8659279/250947279/2844d9dc122f5558db2c5607621acb8a/?

Part 1, it is highly recommended that you start with it - http://messages.responder.co.il/8659173/329745325/3d5c9342526d65c7880dd6ba4eaa3124/

14/08/2024

Do your children "see you" and truly know who you are?

🎂 I was never sure about it until I celebrated my birthday yesterday, which otherwise is never a big deal for me.

My children's gifts made this birthday special: a T-shirt with a picture from when I visited a kindergarten in Ivory Coast and a handwritten blessing. These two simple gifts reveal how much they see and know me and how much I am like an open book in their eyes.

Some say requests are more easily granted on a person's birthday. If so, I use this opportunity to bless you with the same words my children blessed me.

👉 "Keep spreading your knowledge and making the world a better place in any way you can. We love you so much and are proud of your progress, connection to the roots in the fullest sense of the word, and caring and helping others in the passion you bring to everything you do."

👉 "Thank you for inspiring us and showing us what a person looks like who follows his heart without compromise, even when the road is long and not easy."

👉 "Just as you watched us grow and develop, we, too, watch you improve over the years and are not ashamed to admit where you can improve—and not just admit but act and succeed."

My friends, don't fear working hard, connect to your roots, make continuous efforts to improve this world, inspire others with words and deeds, and improve and change yourself when needed. Turn your life into something worth living.

May we be granted the chance to meet here again next year, happy, proud of our achievements, and healthy.

12/08/2024

How Black Swans, Kibbutz, and Smallholders' Prosperity Are Interconnected 🦢🌍

Why do hundreds of millions of farmers worldwide continue to suffer from poverty?

In my latest column, I explore the root causes of smallholder poverty, going beyond the usual suspects like technology, knowledge, and finance.

Discover how the Kibbutz model—an unexpected "Black Swan" event—transformed a barren land into a prosperous nation and why this model holds the key to unlocking prosperity for smallholders everywhere.

Curious about the connection between history, business models, and smallholder success? This column is for you.

Read the full column here: http://messages.responder.co.il/8647005/484655311/3c8df24fbc23b31b422de47804f86197/?

09/08/2024

Income per hectare of a mango growers: Africa vs. Israel.

Let it sink in.

If you think this is the best Africa can do then don't call me.

+972-542523425 WhatsApp

02/08/2024

How much do smallholders earn now vs. before?

A few weeks ago, I spoke with a project manager in an African country about his efforts to support smallholders. He proudly shared details about the technologies, inputs, financial assistance, the number of villages involved, and the project's growth and plans.

After absorbing all the details, I asked the project manager: "How much do the smallholders earn now compared to before? And how does it compare to those not in the project?"

There was silence. Eventually, with some shame and an apologetic tone, he admitted, "I don't know."

Do you know such cases?

This scenario is all too common. I remember a farmer expressing his frustration with these words: "Different projects come and go, representatives make grand promises, but we remain in the same place, in the same poverty."

Successful projects boast that farmers' incomes have increased by 50% after three years.

What do you think?

Raising income from less than $1 a day to $1.50 a day over three years is an outstanding achievement. But is it sufficient, and is this the goal we aim for?

What, in your opinion, should be our goal with smallholders?

27/07/2024

THE BAR-MITZVAH REALIZATION



I recently attended a party in my Kibbutz, where my nephew and his classmates celebrated their Bar-Mitzvah. It was held on the vast lawns surrounding the Kibbutz dining room, which marks its pinnacle and center. Due to budget and space constraints, only some Kibbutz members were formally invited. Still, many other members arrived only to bless before continuing to mind their own business. This behavior of taking the time to bless the celebrating families was accepted warmly as a mutual reaffirming of the communal spirit of the event.

After spending some time with my brother’s family, I, too, went to bless the other families. Then, I stumbled upon an old friend who had grown up in the Kibbutz but left Israel 30 years ago following her love for a distant tropical country. She surprised me by saying she was returning to Israel. I wondered why she would come back in the middle of a war (following The October 7, 2023 massacre) with Israel's economy and political situation so unstable. Later, I learned she had divorced, her two dogs had died, and she had nothing to keep her where she was, not even work. This was when the sense of belonging drew her back home to Israel.

After that evening, I reflected on these behaviors: members who were not officially invited still took the time to participate to show the families they cared for, and a person who, after 30 years, returned to the only place she truly felt at home. Is there a link between these two behaviors?

For one, it made me realize that the is more than a provider of sound, trusted livelihood and more than a of people who somehow get along. I know Dr. Adizes's organizational Success Formula, which has no trace of behaviors such as reaffirming and belonging that profoundly impact the community. Dr. Adizes's organization Success Formula doesn’t explain all that; it is missing a critical element and hence misrepresents a reality where people are attracted to and yearn to be part of a group, needing to satisfy their sense of to a meaningful group.

To the column -
http://messages.responder.co.il/8615357/554641521/5b30cd167b502ec005555b82f50b7d32/?

13/07/2024

War on poverty is not possible if we are afraid to face the truth and insist on continuing everything as it is.

The future belongs to those who have the strength to break away from the romanticism and idealization of the past.

Sometimes, emotional involvement and too many details hide a broad picture that cannot be seen unless viewed from afar, with a historical perspective.

In this weekend's column, we look at the , the , and the from a historical perspective that reveals the direction of the development of human societies' structures.

It is interesting to see the new-old direction as it evolves and which organizational structure has reached its end.

To the column -
http://messages.responder.co.il/8582911/329745325/3d5c9342526d65c7880dd6ba4eaa3124/?

09/07/2024

🌍 Is the Kibbutz Model a Universal Solution to Rural Poverty?

Reflecting on the pioneers who established Kibbutzim under the Turkish Empire is awe-inspiring. They turned dire poverty and hunger into thriving communities. These Kibbutzim didn't just alleviate poverty; they created prosperous and sustainable livelihoods for their members, a powerful testament to the transformative power of the Kibbutz model.

Let's not overlook the urgent plight of smallholders in developing countries today. Many are in a worse state than they were a century ago, and it's absolutely crucial that we find immediate and effective solutions to this pressing issue.

I keep asking myself, could the Kibbutz model enable these farmers to achieve the same success as those in Israel?

This week's column explores this crucial question: Can the Kibbutz model work outside of Israel and bring the same benefits to smallholders globally?

A link to the column http://messages.responder.co.il/8566221/381101739/74b9d07836a150fbcf4b7a18855698e6/?.

Do you believe the Kibbutz model is exclusive to Israel, or can it be a universal framework for rural development worldwide? Share your thoughts in the comments.

04/07/2024

For Entrepreneurs and Innovators.

I believe in doing, making mistakes, correcting, and moving forward—over and over again.

In fields with high stakes, the cost of mistakes while progressing is far better than waiting ages for perfection that never comes (as if perfection exists).

Persistent poverty, with 550 million smallholders living on less than $2.15 per day, demands immediate action. We must move fast—there's no time to waste.

To make real progress, we need to break away from conventional methods because it's the 'conventional' that has led us to this crisis.

The urgency of this situation is our responsibility.

Do you agree? What is your way forward?

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