At Hazera, we value the people who have helped shape our company over the years. In this Heritage Edition, we reconnect with colleagues who have either moved on from Hazera or have been part of our team for many years. Today, we speak with Zvi Amit, retired Production Manager from Israel. For more than 30 years, Zvi has been an integral part of Hazera’s story.

Zvi began his journey in 1989, after completing a master’s degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding at the Faculty of Agriculture. There, he laid the foundations for a long and meaningful career that lasted until his retirement. He first served as a Production methods developer, a role that was considered innovative at the time. Later, he held a series of management positions, including Production Manager and Professional Manager in the vegetables sector. Over the years, he was involved in innovative initiatives, international projects, and processes that left a lasting mark on the company.

How did you start your journey at Hazera?

Zvi: “I studied Genetics and Breeding, earning a master’s degree at the Faculty of Agriculture. As part of an agreement with an American company, I traveled to the United States, where I worked on variety trials and observations for Hazera. When I returned to Israel, Hazera approached me, and I began working as a Production Methods Developer and Production Supervisor, now referred to as a Crop Specialist.”

How did your career evolve over the years?

“I started as a Production Supervisor, at a time when production was divided according to biogeographical regions. Later, I moved on to become Production Manager and eventually Professional Manager in the vegetables sector.” Each role added another layer to Zvi’s knowledge and experience. Zvi continues: “And together they gave me a broad perspective on the entire operational chain of the company and the seed industry.”

What is a common myth about your job or field of expertise?

Zvi: “One of the common myths is that Israel invented cherry tomatoes. That’s not entirely accurate. The origin is in Japan, where cherry varieties were bred that were so soft they would often burst. Israel did make a significant contribution by taking those varieties, improving them, and turning them into commercially viable products.”

In your opinion, what qualities are most important to succeed in this industry?

According to Zvi an open mind toward innovation is crucial: “You must bring new initiatives, and think about different products, rather than settle for small improvements. Developing a variety that yields three percent more is good, but it’s not enough. True success comes from introducing new products to the market, such as unique varieties and innovative solutions in production processes.”

Can you tell us about innovation during your career?

Zvi: “When I started, most onion varieties were not hybrids. The introduction of hybrid onion varieties was a very innovative step at the time. On the production side, we also developed solutions to improve efficiency. For example, we used robotics and automation in several processes. I believe that with an open mind, much more can be achieved in this direction.”

Tell us about a project you are particularly proud of.

“First of all,” Zvi explains, “I am particularly proud of establishing the Production Planning and Control unit. It began as a one-person operation and eventually grew into a full department. I was also involved in the initiative of producing seeds abroad and in seed coating. These were steps that reshaped the company.”

What does “Growing Together” mean to you?

Zvi: “To me, it reflects the genuine connection with farmers and customers. It’s about accompanying them along the way. I believe it truly represents the relationships we built over the years.”

Looking back, what are you most proud of as you retired?

“I feel that I contributed to laying the foundations, both in processes and in innovation. What started small grew into departments and infrastructures that continue to operate even after my retirement,” says Zvi. That’s certainly something to be proud of!

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