The Blue Chair section with Danny Ayalon, an entrepreneur in the field of agrotech and podtech • On vertical agriculture: "The crops will be available all year round, without spraying at all and with much more freshness and taste" • On cultured meat: "You can aim for much less fat and more protein in each portion"
Danny Ayalon
Photography:
Dudi Vaknin
Danny Ayalon is
an entrepreneur in the field of advanced agriculture and food (Agrotech and Podtech),
Chairman and Founding Partner, Silver Road Capital; Designated Chairman, Future Crops;
Former MK, Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Deputy Foreign Minister and Political Adviser to three Prime Ministers
Danny Ayalon, the Corona has put us in front of many fronts, and perhaps one of the most complex of which is our future on this ball, which faces various challenges - no longer really guaranteed as it used to be thought.
"Since the corona came into our lives we have realized that man is not the lord of the world. Our control over the forces of nature, the globe, our future - is limited than we thought. And when we are no longer lords of the world, only three things guarantee our lives here: food security, water security and energy security. Water and energy are three resources that can be depleted and thus place a cloud, literally, on our world. 10,000 years ".
The Blue Chair section with Danny Ayalon // Photo: Yehoshua Yosef
In that revolution there were, among other things, many more areas that enabled its realization.
"And today we have technology. The name of the game is to reach maximum output on minimum input, on minimum space. This is the holy grail of the new revolution. And here technology enters the picture. Today, growing fruits, vegetables and spices requires huge areas. The technology we developed at Fut. "Future Crops" allows us to minimize the area, increase production and redefine the food product chain. "
What does it look like in practice?
"We have in Amsterdam a nine-story hangar that includes crops like coriander, basil, dill and parsley. It is all illuminated with ultraviolet light, and each plant gets exactly the amount of light it needs. We are the psychologist of the plant, listen to all its needs and do everything to grow optimally. It lacks something - it is immediately directed at a beam that gives it water. Everything is done without human contact. We use the algorithm and Big Data capabilities, in collaboration with researchers from a volcanic institute, world-class. It is actually an application of vertical, vertical agriculture, ie growing crops. Various in vertically stacked layers, inside enclosed structures on a bed of soil.
"A vertical farm located inside a freight yard about 30 square meters, grows a crop that corresponds to a crop of an entire acre in open space. And most importantly it is the growing cycle - if for example lettuce grows for A month in an outdoor field, here takes two weeks, half the time.There is also a significant reduction in water consumption and no use of pesticides or sprays.In addition, the crops are available to you in all seasons, and there is no temperature dependence.Who loves mangoes or strawberries, for example, Throughout the year".
Without human hand contact.
Vertical farm in Amsterdam // Photo: Courtesy of Future Crops
to sell basil for 90 euros?
You describe a much more efficient and fast process, without human hand contact.
This sounds like a recipe for a dramatic reduction in the prices of plants, fruits and vegetables.
"Today the prices are perhaps a little higher, because the technology in question and the various infrastructures require an economic return that involves the initial investment in them. Over time the process becomes more efficient and the investment is repaid, so in the end the prices the consumer pays will be cheaper than today. A little imaginary.Do you know how much a kilogram of basil in Europe costs today?
90 euros.
In Israel, the price is about 20 euros.
In the emirates, where almost everything related to the food worlds is imported - the prices are also accordingly.
Once you have more innovative vertical farms, consumers will pay much less. "
So now we see skyscrapers of agricultural crops popping up like mushrooms after the rain?
" Not sure we will need skyscrapers, because in time the facilities will be smaller.
Imagine that in every supermarket you will have a vertical production facility with all the vegetables and spices, and later also fruit, and you pick on the spot, without having to move the produce from place to place.
That is why vertical agriculture is also called urban agriculture - meaning there is no need for fields, you can grow on the roof.
There are no resources that limit you. "
If I taste your basil, dill and coriander - will I feel the difference?
" This is a fresher and tastier product.
Here a lot of respect should be given to the Volcanic Institute.
The challenge for them was not the quality or the vitamins but the taste, and they managed to get an excellent taste.
"In
the last time I checked, the parsley in my fridge did not survive too long. What about the shelf life?
" Our parsley lasts two months on the shelf, and does not oxidize within a week or two. "
Google and the race for shelter
in Corona, with the closure of the sky, carried a back economies Aotrkiim. Do you think this is also a future trend in light of the evolution of technology in the agricultural and food? as someone with a background in diplomacy, what it would do to relations between countries? may seem less cooperation?
"at the end Of course farms will be autarkic, which will ensure security with much less conflict.
In the Middle East the water is shrinking, and subsequent wars may be over water.
But we hope the technology will reduce tensions between countries, and the territory will be less important.
Our world faces significant challenges;
Food and water security have the potential to separate us, or connect and ensure our long-term existence.
"By the way, in every developed Western country - the United States, Australia, and also in Europe - issues of food security, climate, greenhouse gases - are one of the highest items on the political agenda.
We are not talking about it, security and foreign affairs are in focus, but Israel has a lot to offer here. "
Do we have the opportunity to be the Silicon Valley of advanced agriculture and food, agrotech and podtech?
" When Israel deals with things that save the world, it enjoys immense pride.
Will we be the Silicon Valley of these areas?
There is no doubt about this.
We are already seeing foreign investors come here to look for opportunities, including my and Lior Maimon's partner in the investment company Silver Road Capital, Steve Levin, one of the leaders in the US food industry. Silver Road Capital is an investment holding and banking company that manages a wide portfolio of high-tech companies in general and agro -Tech and Food-Tech in particular, represents international companies and funds in investments in Israel and around the world.
"In general, Future Crops intends to raise NIS 35 million on the Israeli Stock Exchange to invest in enlarging the existing facility and other production lines and other facilities in Europe and other continents.
We have a partnership with the supermarket chain Albert Heijn, and also a partnership with a leading food chain in France. "
The vertical agriculture market is estimated at $ 3 billion. Google and Amazon have also invested hundreds of millions in it. What are they looking for there?
" Simply put, profits.
In Deresh, they understand that food has the toughest demand.
People can not live without food and water, and Google and Amazon also understand the potential. "
Joe Biden is now entering the White House with the largest ever team of climate experts. It will surely give impetus to the field.
" Green energy and vertical agriculture will get a huge boost.
The climate crisis and the field of green energy are well rooted in the set of ideological arguments of the Democratic Party.
It is also possible that the large companies are in these areas because it is precisely under the Biden administration that they fear for their future, fear a certain liquidation, so focusing on sub-areas is part of a security scenario for them. "
Carpaccio - The next generation
Biden also wants to deal with greenhouse gas emissions Of the food system, with an emphasis on the meat industry. Amazon and Google's food counterparts, McDonald's and Burger King, are also going in alternative directions of meat substitutes?
"First, as for the environmental issue, cultured meat does not need grazing areas, no need to feed cows, And huge lawns can be turned into forests that help the environment.
This is an optimistic industry that leaves us with a better world.
As for the meat substitute market, in the US there are two huge companies that produce vegetable protein (from pea protein; RP), 'Beyond Meat' and 'Meat Impossible'. Impossible's hamburger has already reached Burger King, McDonald's has partnered with Beyond Meat, and last November announced that it would be launching its own vegetarian burger.The problem is that pea protein does not have all the amino acids found in animal protein, and should also be added to additives for taste and smell.
On the way to freeing the cows.
Imaging of a piece of cultured meat // Imaging photo: Courtesy of MeaTech
"At Mitech, of which I am a director, we are on our way to producing animal meat, cultured meat, real steaks: "We also combine three-dimensional digital printing technology, and we also managed to create a thin layer of meat - carpaccio. Needless to say, the cow is not harmed at all."
Why 3D printers?
"Because you do not need human hand contact. It is relevant to the corona, when the food chain is damaged. With such printers you have a moving film, wherever you want. So, for example, it is theoretically possible to provide food for space flights. Astronauts who go out into space for a long time, do not have to Take food with them and they can produce it on the spot. "
You mentioned the corona.
The data show a significant increase in the meat substitutes market.
In the first half of 2020, $ 1.5 billion was invested in alternative protein companies.
We have also seen that people consume more meat substitutes during this period.
"People understand that crises like the corona can hurt the supply chain and are looking for alternatives. A 3D printer allows meat to be found in every restaurant, supermarket and butcher shop, without relying on the supply chain."
In recent years, and probably also in the coming years, more people will die from obesity than from hunger.
Can cultured meat change morbidity trends from food?
"It is possible to target much less fat and more protein in each portion, and also to use various nutrients in the future to help strengthen the immune system and prevent disease, but of course this requires a lot of research and the appropriate approvals. As we talk about customized medicine, it will be possible to produce food that suits In an optimal way for a person's genetic structure and body needs. "
Will the prices of cultured meat also be optimal?
"At first they will be more expensive compared to regular meat, because these are initial costs that need to be recouped. When production is mass then prices will go down over time."
Photo: GettyImages
After we talked about meat and agriculture, it is impossible not to ask you - after so many years in the worlds of diplomacy and politics - how do you see the political system today?
Tickling you back?
"There is no election campaign that does not approach me with such and such proposals, but does not tickle me. Unfortunately, Israeli governments in recent years, as well as governments throughout the Western world, are unable to run the country well enough. For example, more national government tasks in Israel are moving to the private market. or the third sector. We see associations who care for the needy, establish communities in the Negev and the Galilee, bringing immigrants to Israel and do advocacy for Israel. these are things the government should do.
"more specifically, Israeli politics is the politics of the shallows: there is no vision, no ideology, everything is personal And charged with negative sentiments.
If I do return one day, it will be only after we have changed the system of government, which will take the power from the small parties.
In my opinion, we need to move to a regional choice, by district.
This will lead to a higher quality of politicians.
why?
Because the elected public needs to run and convince the people who live in its area and district, and they are the ones who know its activities best.
In addition, closed primaries should be avoided because they allow for deals and deals.
In the
end, you also remember the Turkish ambassador's affair in 2010. Today, in the perspective of a decade, what happened there? Do you feel that you have been wronged?
"In the end, it was a technical malfunction.
After Erdogan humiliated Shimon Peres in Davos and a Turkish series portraying IDF soldiers as Kalgas, we wanted to reprimand the Turks and seat their ambassador lower. One picture would be worth a thousand words. "Other than what we wanted. Do I feel I have been wronged? No, I have been given responsibility and we have progressed. Beyond that - I must say that over the years I have become a kind of national hero in Turkey and Greece. To this day Erdogan's opponents correspond with me and invite me to visit."
For suggestions and comments: Ranp@israelhayom.co.il