At Hazera, our people are the driving force behind every healthy crop, every successful harvest and every innovation. Their knowledge, dedication and passion help growers around the world overcome challenges every day. This time, we put the spotlight on David Levy, Hazera’s Plant Pathologist, whose career has been dedicated to protecting the health of our plants and seeds. 

David’s connection with Hazera began long before he officially joined the company. He was born on Hazera’s Izra’am farm in southern Israel, where his father was one of the first employees after the farm was established in 1954. “My father worked at Hazera for 45 years,” David says. “Together, we’ve contributed more than 80 years to the company.” 

After completing his degree in agriculture, David originally intended to join Hazera for just a year to gain some practical experience. Instead, he found a career that has now spanned almost 40 years. 

He began as an assistant cucumber breeder before becoming a breeder himself. During this time, his growing interest in plant pathology led him to complete both a master’s degree and a PhD in the field. He went on to establish Hazera’s Plant Pathology Laboratory, managing it for 15 years before moving into his current role, where he oversees plant hygiene across both R&D and Production. 

If you had to explain your job to a 5-year-old, how would you do it? 

David smiles before answering. “I would tell them I’m the policeman who keeps our plants healthy.” 

Behind this simple explanation lies an important responsibility. David works to prevent diseases from entering Hazera’s breeding programmes and production systems, helping ensure healthy plants and high-quality, disease-free seeds. What makes his role particularly unique is that he has experienced both sides of plant pathology. “I started my career using pathogens to challenge plants so breeders could select resistant varieties. Today, I use that same knowledge to prevent diseases altogether.” 

His background as both a breeder and a plant pathologist allows him to understand the practical challenges faced by breeding teams while developing realistic hygiene measures that protect the company’s crops. “I know their mindset,” he explains. “That helps me find solutions that work.” 

What’s something you’ve learned during your career at Hazera from working with colleagues or partners from different cultures? 

For David, the biggest lesson has little to do with culture itself and everything to do with teamwork. “It’s important not to focus only on your own work,” he says. “You have to look at the bigger picture.” 

Throughout his career, he has learned that lasting success comes when everyone understands how their work contributes to the company’s overall goals. “We all have our own responsibilities, but we need to move in the same direction. That’s how you achieve success together.” 

What’s the most unusual or memorable thing that’s ever happened to you in your career? 

After nearly four decades, choosing just one memorable moment is not easy. Professionally, David is especially proud of the progress Hazera has made in plant hygiene over the past ten years through the company’s PIE (Phytosanitation Improvement Effort) programme. 

Rather than introducing major changes overnight, the programme was built step by step, helping teams across Hazera continuously improve plant hygiene while keeping day-to-day work practical and efficient. “Good plant hygiene isn’t about complicated technology,” David explains. “It’s about continuously improving, training people and finding the right balance between protecting our plants and allowing people to work efficiently.” 

Looking back, he says one emotional moment was seeing the Plant Pathology Laboratory that he had built from scratch disappear when Hazera’s R&D facilities relocated. “It felt like closing an important chapter of my career.” 

If you could look ahead 10 years, what change in your job field would excite you most? 

Although David expects to retire within the next few years, his passion for improvement remains unchanged. “I’m a person who likes changes,” he says. “If I’m still enjoying what I’m doing, that’s what matters.” 

Looking back, he is especially proud of the culture Hazera has built around plant hygiene. Thanks to years of collaboration, training and continuous improvement, the company’s farms, greenhouses and production sites now operate with strong hygiene standards that help ensure healthy plants and healthy seeds around the world. 

After almost 40 years, David reflects on his journey with both pride and humour. “I was born at Hazera, and I’ve grown older with Hazera. Nobody can tell me I didn’t grow together with the company.” His story perfectly reflects what Hazera is all about: growing together through knowledge, collaboration and a shared commitment to supporting growers worldwide. 

Do you want to stay connected with our Hazera people? 

Follow us on our social media channels to meet more of the people behind our crops. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us via our contact page.