| THE CHANGE BEGINS IN YOU Martin L.K. is not alone (he is unique), but all significant (historical) changes result from humans who had a different vision of the world, and they stepped up and acted. A person who wishes to bring change must start by changing himself. It means that regardless of the later magnitude of the change, all changes begin at the individual level - YOU! Believe in yourself. It was September 1991 when I returned to Israel from around the world for one year trip. I asked myself, “What can I do to help many people and impact future generations?” After many years and deliberations, I decided to focus on helping farmers increase their income by growing better, free of pesticides, and healthier produce for consumers. This way to change farmers' lives (from poverty to prosperity) and improve our health and the environment thanks to transformation to an eco-friendly crop protection approach. In 1994, when I began working on my life mission, I had no clue how to achieve that dream and vision I was aiming for. NOTE – I was unaware of how long it would take and the personal sacrifice it would require. I never thought that nearly 30 years later, I would still be focused on it more than ever before. Yet, I am glad that I took this journey and the positive change I am bringing to many people. QUESTIONS Often I ask myself (and others ask me too), “How did I end up achieving such challenging goals?” I believe it has to do with combining two opposite approaches: I have a deep respect for what others did before me while simultaneously looking to improve things, knowing that as previous generations improved what their predecessors did, so can we. Change and improvements are endless. I am not the first or the only one to deal with global issues such as - improving crop protection, developing non-spray crop protection technologies, fighting poverty and hunger, etc. Then how come that within a relatively short period and with a small budget, Biofeed, and Green Valley managed to achieve what so many before them failed to achieve? Thinking of it, it seems that I owe much of my professional success to the problem-solving approach I embraced years ago. This approach emphasizes studying the problem and current state in-depth before starting any activity. To study the subject thoroughly, I do it as young children do; by asking many questions, over and over again. Asking questions is part of the method of learning the topic. Other features include field trips, personal face-to-face meetings, studying existing publications, etc. This enables me to glance at A Problem from many different angles. Hence, to devise a better answer and solution even to a fundamental problem that was previously considered unsolvable. My reward is seeing my dream come true. THREE STEPS Very roughly, we can divide the process of "problem-solving" into three stages; * Start–learning and understanding the current state. * Middle – “painting” and designing the future state we wish to see. * End – preparing and executing a plan to bridge the gap between the “current state," from which we wish to move away, into the “future state” we plan to create. Too often, we fail to solve a problem because we neglect and underestimate the importance and difficulty involved in studying the "current state." We learn of the “current state” by asking questions. Don’t be afraid of asking the most daring questions, or you will fail before even starting. Here I present two types of questions; the "fundamental questions," which challenge our belief in the "possible" limits. Then there are the "tactical questions," dealing with the mechanism of How, What, and Why things are done the way they are and their results. EXAMPLE TO FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS Question: Is it possible to eradicate fruit flies without spraying?
Answer: Yes. Farmers in Africa and Asia, using the FFCTZ protocol, have reduced fruit flies infestation by 99% versus alternative sprays/trap-regimes. Question: Is it possible to grow and market export-quality fruits without chemical sprays?
Answer: Yes. All farmers participating in the Green Valley Senegal 2021 campaign used zero chemicals during the entire season. Question: Is it possible (and if so, how?) to increase the income of smallholders continuously and at a fast pace?
Answer: Yes. Farmers participating in the Green Valley Senegal 2021 campaign increased their income by 50% to 500% (!) already in the first year!! Don't fail to believe that getting the answers and solutions to fundamental questions is an easy task. You see above the results of 30 years of intensive work, which now bring the change. | 
