Psyched for success: Sagi Karni, Israel’s ambassador to Singapore

ISRAEL today is nicknamed the "startup nation" for good reason. With a population of about nine million, the country houses the largest number of startups per capita in the world. But its entrepreneurial culture dates back to centuries ago, before the state was established, when the land it sat on was known for establishing farming collectives called "kibbutz".

Profits from farming are reinvested into the collective after providing for members. Over the years, kibbutz farmers made barren lands bloom with field crops, poultry, dairy and fish farms, which, to date remain mainstays of the economy.

Israel's startup story is reminiscent of its agriculture history, one of triumph in the face of challenges, from political upheavals to an arid farming environment. Recent years have seen the themes of innovation and agriculture overlap, with several hundreds of agritech firms springing up across the country.