| Eleizer
Zuckerbraun, our product manager for cucurbits, and I decided to
pay a visit to Ubi Fahimfor, a young farmer from the village of Achituv
in the Hefer Valley, not far from Netanya.
Some time back, we decided to name our
cucumber variety 9456 in Israel "Achituv" in honor of this
largely cucumber growing village.
With about 500 acres of greenhouses and
in the process of expansion, Achituv is considered one of the most
successful farming villages in the area.
"Every family in Achituv is involved in
farming", Ubi tells us. Ubi grows both "Achituv" and another one
of our cucumber varieties, "9422". "Achituv",
he explains, "has beautiful fruit. It is tolerant to Powdery Mildew and
the yields are good. 9422 is similar, but with shorter fruit." |
"I sell each one to different markets, and
each variety is in high demand in its respective markets."
On this unusually hot day, with
temperatures in the greenhouse recording over 40° C, it is particularly
satisfying to see the varieties holding up so well in the heat.
This year, the village of Achituv is
celebrating its 50th birthday. Driving back through the village, the
tangible success is apparent in the pretty white villas and well-tended
gardens. |
