| With great sadness, I say this; Cooperation between Israel and Africa on agricultural issues is scarce and almost negligible. The meaning? Africans' annual economic losses are in the hundreds of $ billion and Israel's in the billions $. That is reflected in everyday life, including the continuity of unnecessary human suffering associated with poverty, lack of food, climate change, slower scientific progress, education, equality, etc. All that, while Israel holds solutions that can convert the above-described situation into prosperity. Improving the Africa-Israel relationship and enhancing the cooperation is in the hands of the African-Israeli people and poses the most significant agricultural business opportunity for the parties. A SENIOR AFRICAN BUSINESS DELEGATION Because of the very little business activity between Africa and Israel, I am glad to participate in any activity that can bring a positive change. This week I took part in meetings with a senior African business delegation to Israel whose interest focused on finance, technology, agriculture, energy, and pharma. The delegation tour was sponsored by AJC (American Jewish Committee) and well organized by the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, Israel's largest business organization. It means that we have a perfect triangle of America-Africa-Israel. This triangle should and can be leveraged to increase business cooperation. When I arrived at the welcome meeting for the delegation, I did not know what to expect, and I was more than a bit skeptical about the possible results. After all, I have good reasons to feel so after decades of business stagnation with little activity. However, as I am ready to make any effort to advance the Israel-Africa relationship, I arrived prepared to give it a chance. BIZ REFLECTION All skepticism vanished once we met and started to talk about each other's activities directly and exchange ideas. I was impressed by the openness and self-criticism of the business delegation members, including during the EY (Ernst & Young) opening business seminar of the delegation visit. This came in addition to a natural expressed desire to change, change, and change. We all know that no change can take place unless you want it. African business people want change, and they want it now! From my previous columns, you know that when I am in Africa, I don't get to spend much time with the business community, as I am primarily in the fields, with the farmers and the value chain partners. For that reason, meeting and listening to African business people was exciting (especially given my initial skepticism). When I summarize my impression and reflection from those meetings, I see extreme goodwill and positive energy to do and CHANGE the African agro sector. However, this lacks a clear direction of HOW to execute the CHANGE and constructively use their passion to turn their expressed desire into reality. They continuously talk about Africa’s POTENTIAL, but potential alone is nothing without adequate plan and execution. Many other issues arise, among others: * A wish to focus on staple crops. * Fear of government involvement. * The view of Agriculture = Risk. * Focus on marketing to the local market instead of exporting. * But the saddest was to hear they don't expect to see a national change in their lifetime. Although they were all businesspersons, they tended not to view agriculture as a valuable business to increase one’s fortune. Many view agriculture as a food source for the hungry people in their countries. The reality, however, shows that when you focus on the business aspects of agriculture, you grow and produce more, and it becomes abundant. The opposite happens when you approach agriculture with the one goal of feeding the hungry. | 
