An Israeli orchard. An Israeli agricultural research organization is developing new varieties of fruits and vegetables. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – On Tu B’Shvat, Israel’s New Year for trees, Prof. Yoram Kapulnik — director of the Volcani Center, an Israeli agricultural research organization — updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and government ministers on his group’s latest innovation.

According to Kapulnik’s update, the organization is developing new varieties of fruits and vegetables, and is making innovations in “improving flavor, extending shelf-life, product quality, and making the fruits and vegetables more accessible to the public at large,” the prime minister’s media adviser said.

“Israeli agricultural products are winning worldwide acclaim. Some of the exhibited fruits are still in developmental stages and some are already being marketed,” said Kapulnik.

Netanyahu praised these developments, saying he is “proud of Israeli agriculture” and how “Israeli farmers are incredibly creative.”

“Many countries, from every continent, want to benefit from our innovations….I have revolutionary thoughts about how to use this ability on the commercial, international, and diplomatic levels,” Netanyahu said, adding that he seeks to forge “a partnership between the Volcani Center and countries that are interested” in its innovations in order to expand the research organization’s activity “both nationally and internationally.”

“This is a great strength for the State of Israel. This is especially welcome on Tu B’Shvat,” Netanyahu said.