Netafim Aligned with UN's Sustainable Development Goals

TEL AVIV, Israel, July 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Global irrigation leader releases GRI report based on most advanced G4 standard 

Netafim, the global leader in smart irrigation solutions for a sustainable future, released today its 2015 Sustainability Report, which demonstrates how its 2020 Sustainability Strategy is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recently adopted by the UN. Written in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 standard, the world's most advanced sustainability reporting framework, the report highlights numerous Netafim activities that underscore its commitment to several of the 17 SDGs, which were approved in September 2015.

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"Sustainability has been a part of Netafim's essence since our establishment in 1965," said Ran Maidan, Netafim CEO. "As the global smart irrigation leader, Netafim is committed to driving mass adoption of smart irrigation solutions to fight scarcity of food, water and land. Offering the most comprehensive and advanced solutions for all crop types and for farmers of all sizes, we are helping the world grow more with less to ensure a sustainable future."

"For years, Netafim has worked tirelessly with our partners in the public and private sectors to advance sustainable agriculture practices and help define ways to achieve global sustainability," said Naty Barak, Netafim's Chief Sustainability Officer. "Our 2015 report demonstrates how our sustainability strategy supports these efforts and is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals."

"By helping farmers achieve sustainable livelihoods, increasing access to drip irrigation, and conducting our business responsibly, we strive to make smart irrigation solutions the accessible and preferred choice for irrigated crops all over the world," added Rachel Shaul, Netafim's Head of Marketing and External Affairs.

The report highlights a number of recent case studies from across the globe. In one example of action for prosperity, the Company prepared the 2015 launch of a large-scale rice irrigation pilot with India's Tamil Nadu government involving 600 farmers that has increased yields by 20% and decreased water usage by 60%. In another example, Netafim is a majority partner in the Netafim Agricultural Financing Agency (NAFA), which has provided $33 million in loans over three years enabling 23,000 Indian smallholders to install drip systems across 22,000 hectares. Netafim's focus on education for prosperity was evident in a Kenyan project that is part of the USAID-funded Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation program. Netafim has trained 5,000 smallholders in using the company's Family Drip System™ (FDS™) kit, while working with banks to help secure financing and with buyers to help the growers sell their produce.

For more highlights from the report, click here. To download a summary of the report click here, and to download the full report click here.

About Netafim  

Netafim is the global leader in smart irrigation solutions for a sustainable future. With 28 subsidiaries, 17 manufacturing plants and 4,300 employees worldwide, Netafim delivers innovative solutions to growers of all sizes, from smallholders to large-scale agricultural producers, in over 110 countries. Founded in 1965, Netafim pioneered the drip revolution, creating a paradigm shift toward low-flow agricultural irrigation. Today, Netafim provides diverse solutions - from state-of-the-art drippers to advanced automated systems - for agriculture, greenhouses, landscaping and mining, accompanied by expert agronomic, technical and operational support. Specializing in end-to-end solutions from the water source to the root zone, Netafim delivers turnkey irrigation and greenhouse projects, supported by engineering, project management and financing services. Netafim's market-leading solutions are helping the world grow more with less. For more information, visit http://www.netafim.com.

Contact:
Rachel Shaul
Head of Corporate Marketing & External Affairs
Tel: +972-52-5014827
Rachel.shaul@netafim.com