WG Center for Innovation Collaborates with Israel to Expand AgTech Innovation
Posted on March 10, 2017 16:04 PM by sthara
In an effort to connect agtech innovation centers in Israel with those in California, the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology hosted a delegation of agtech companies from Israel on Wednesday, March 8. The delegation included nearly 20 representatives from companies who are developing technologies surrounding crop protection, crop nutrition, plant genetics and breeding, water management, and operations management.
“In just this year, we have already hosted more than a dozen events to bolster relationships with partners who will be key in evolving ag technologies, educate and excite the community about the advancements in agtech, and further establish Western Growers and the City of Salinas as leaders in the agtech space,” said Dennis Donohue, lead of the Center for Innovation & Technology. “Tapping into the knowledge and expertise of our Israel counterparts will be significant in bringing agtech to the next level here in the U.S. and around the world.”
It’s a win win: the Israelis are looking for new markets and Western Growers is looking to identify new technologies and solutions, continued Donohue. During Israel AgTech Innovation Showcase Delegation event, Israeli companies and U.S. agricultural industry stakeholders came together to explore business and investment opportunities as well as the prospect for joint R&D efforts.
Donohue kicked off the event as moderator of the “Salinas as a Global AgTech Hub” panel, where Jim Brennan of SmartWash Solutions, LLC and Jamie Strachan of Growers Express discussed how Salinas is home to agtech. The Israeli companies also had a chance to present their offerings to farmers, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and investors, and collaborate with similar companies on future innovations.