Fund Seeks $50M To Rebuild Negev Farms Destroyed By Hamas

Israeli agriculturalists have launched an emergency fundraising drive to aid the farming communities in southern Israel that were devastated in the October 7 terror attack by the Hamas terror group. 

Volcani International Partnership, Israel’s top agricultural NGO, and Mishkey HaNegev (the Western Negev farmers association) are hoping the ReGrow Israel fund will raise $50 million to help get the stricken communities back on their feet. 

The attack left the farmers in the area with massive losses, including over $500 million in income, more than 100,000 acres of farmland, essential equipment such as tractors, plows and combine harvesters and infrastructure and irrigation system. 

The farming communities in the Western Negev are responsible for the production of numerous food staples in Israel, among them potatoes, tomatoes and dairy. 

The decisions on how to allocate the funds raised will be made by the dozens of affected farms in the Western Negev, in conjunction with leading scientists, agronomists and technology experts from around the world.

The fund’s steering committee comprises ex-Knesset member and former head of Eshkol Regional Council Haim Jelin, former director-general of the Volcani Institute Prof. Yoram Kapulnik and the director of international relations for Sha’ar Ha’Negev Regional Council Yahel Ben Aris. It is also being advised by former US secretary of agriculture Dan Glickman. 

“These pioneering, passionate farmers are already getting creative in finding solutions to use what’s left of their land and resources to feed the Israeli population,” said Volcani Partners International CEO Danielle Abraham. 

“Investing in the rebuild of the Western Negev is critical to ensuring the immediate safety and security of all Israeli people as well as the world’s food and agriculture system,” she said. 

“The Western Negev farming communities are sought by governments, corporates and non profits around the globe for their ability to turn minimal arable land bordering desert terrains into a world-renowned agricultural powerhouse region,” said Arbel Levin, Chief Business Development Officer at Mishkey HaNegev.

“Israel has been making significant contributions to the world’s agriculture system for 70 years, and the ReGrow Israel fund will invest in building this region back even better for the future.”