An Astonishing yield before the fourth-year harvest

Four years have almost passed since we established our pilot plantation of elite Pongamia tree varieties in the Negev Desert, Israel. This year is significant for our project, as we have eagerly awaited the second harvest from our trees. As we described in the past, the first harvest appeared in the third year—a world record in the industry. It demonstrated, and ultimately proved, that our varieties are well-suited for cultivation in extreme soil conditions, effectively regenerating degraded land naturally.

The unforeseen harvest in the third year made the fourth year a breakthrough moment for us. Based on production forecasts from our mother trees (of various ages) and data from the pilot plantation, we had expected the first harvest to begin in the fourth year, and even then, we did not anticipate a large yield. Yet our plantation continues to deliver remarkable results.

In the third year, while observing the trees, particularly the large number of flowers, we determined that the fourth year might bring another satisfying surprise.

Following the winter, during our inspection at the beginning of the spring and ahead of the summer season, the teams from KESSLER and the ARO Institute were delighted to find the trees laden with fruit. Nearly every branch was densely covered, and the fruit appeared large and massive. This remarkable progress results from our prime genetics and meticulously developed and applied cultivation techniques adapted to arid, desert conditions.

This moment represents a significant milestone for our project. With these results, KESSLER is now well-positioned to deliver consistent, large-scale production of Pongamia oil for the fuel and energy sectors, as well as zero-emission electricity, premium-quality proteins, and animal feed.

These results have greatly satisfied our team and our partners at the ARO Institute. We eagerly anticipate this year's continued growth, flowering, and most fruitful harvest.

Most importantly, all our assumptions and the outcomes of our work are turning out exceptionally well, presenting high yield, confirming and strengthening the forecast for boosted quantities of Pongamia products per hectare.