Agriculture in Israel

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Climate of Israel.
Date harvest in Israel
Galilee lemon grove

Agriculture in Israel is a highly developed industry. Israel is an exporter of fresh produce and a leader in

GDP and 3.6% of exports.[2] Israel is not self sufficient in growing food. In 2021, Israel's agricultural imports totaled 8,791 million and agricultural exports totaled 2,445 million dollars.[3] Grains, oilseeds, meat, coffee, cocoa and sugar were among the imports.[2][4]

Israel is home to two unique types of agricultural communities, the kibbutz and moshav, which developed as Jews from all over the world immigrated to the land that became the country of Israel and embarked on rural settlement.[5] As of 2016, kibbutzim provided Israel with about 40% of its agricultural produce.[6]

History

Citrus packing in Hadera before the establishment of the state.

The development of modern agriculture was closely tied to the Zionist movement and Jewish immigration to Palestine beginning in the late nineteenth century.[7] Jews mostly purchased land near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Most Palestinian Arabs lived in the highlands and were subsistence farmers growing wheat and barley on rainfed land. Both Jewish and Palestinian farmers initiated growing commercial and exportable crops such as citrus and vegetables in the late 19th century. The development of agriculture near the coast required drainage of swamps and eradication of malaria, but the land was "wonderfully rich and fertile."[8][9] A 1943 survey concluded that 435,700 ha (1,077,000 acres) of land in Palestine (21st century Israel, the West Bank and Gaza) was cultivated and that 24.9 percent of the cultivated land was owned by the "European sector" (predominately Jews). Rain-fed cropland made up 91.7 percent of the total and 8.3 percent was irrigated.[10]

The Jewish residents of the new country of Israel gained much farmland when 700,000 Palestinians, mostly farmers, were forced off or abandoned their land inside the borders of Israel in 1947 and 1948. This land was resettled by Israelis.[11] By 2001, 56.5 percent of the cropland in Israel was irrigated. Since independence the production of export and commercial crops expanded while the acreage devoted to cultivation of wheat and barley declined.[12]

Water shortage is a major problem. Rain falls between September and April, with an uneven distribution across the country, from 700 mm (28 in) in the north to less than 20 mm (1 in) in the south.

National Water Carrier, a network of pumping stations, reservoirs, canals and pipelines that transfers water from the north to the south.[2]

Ein Yahav hothouses
Israel is the sixteenth most water stressed country in the world.

The importance of agriculture in Israel's economy has fallen over time, accounting for decreasing values of GDP. In 1979, it accounted for just under 6% of GDP, 5.1% by 1985, and today, 2.5%.

Jordan Valley.[13]

In 2006, agricultural output fell by 0.6% following a 3.6% rise in 2005; inputs for 2007 rose by 1.2% excluding wages.[14] Between 2004 and 2006, vegetables accounted for around 35% of total agricultural output.[14] Flowers made up around 20%, field crops made up around 18%, fruits (other than citrus), around 15%, and citrus fruits around 10%.[14] In 2006, 36.7% of agricultural output was for domestic consumption, 33.9% for domestic manufacturing, and 22% for direct export.[14] In 2006, 33% of vegetables, 27% of flowers, 16% of field crops, 15.5% of fruits other than citrus, and 9% of citrus fruits were exported.[14]

Israeli agricultural production rose 26% between 1999 and 2009, while the number of farmers dropped from 23,500 to 17,000. Farmers have also grown more with less water, using 12% less water to grow 26% more produce.[15]

In 2022, Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced a plan to increase the total number of agricultural lands cultivated, and to improve the labor force by supporting new farmers and farmers who have not worked in the field for at least seven years with a total of 10 million shekels.[16]

In 2023, after

Taglit-Birthright and HaShomer HaHadash many farmers were unsure of the long term implications for their farms. On 15 November the Agriculture and Finance Ministries, the Knesset Finance committee, and the Israeli Farmers Association agreed on a proposition to compensate farmers for their losses, although as of 24 November it had not been fully finalized.[17]

Farm types

Fields in the Jezreel Valley.

Most of Israel's agriculture is based on cooperative principles that evolved in the early twentieth century.[2] Two unique forms of agricultural settlements; the kibbutz, a collective community in which the means of production are communally owned and each member's work benefits all; and the moshav, a farming village where each family maintains its own household and works its own land, while purchasing and marketing are conducted co-operatively.[2] Both communities provided a means not only to realise the dream of the pioneers to have rural communities based on social equality, co-operation and mutual aid but also to gain agricultural output in a productive means.[2] Today, between kibbutzim and moshavim, 76% of the country's fresh produce is output, as well as many processed food products.[2]

Workers

Israeli farms relied mostly on Palestinian workers up until the 1990s, until violence following the First Palestinian Intifada and the resulting crackdown on Palestinian workers' freedom to work outside the occupied territories, Israel began to look at other areas for workers.[18] A 2021 Knesset study relying on data compiled in 2020 found that about 75,200 people were employed in the agriculture sector with about 49% of them Israeli , 32% international and 19% Palestinians.[17] By 2023 there were between 30,000 to 40,000 Thai workers working in the Israeli agriculture sector, and were governed by strict rules, such as being unable to raise families in the country and short contracts.[18] After the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas, many Thai nationals returned to their home country, due to many being killed and held hostage in the attacks.[19] This created a vacuum that caused large losses for the farmers, and a large influx of about 20,000 workers from Sri Lanka that were expected to arrive to work on the farms in December 2023.[20] In November of 2023, the Malawi government made an arrangement by Israeli companies to ferry Malawian farm workers to work farms in Israel.[21]

Agricultural produce

Wheat growing in the Hula Valley

Crops

Due to the diversity of the land and climate across the country, Israel is able to grow a wide range of crops. Field crops grown in the country include wheat, sorghum and corn. On 215,000 hectares of land, these sorts of crops are grown, 156,000 hectares of which are winter crops.[22]

Fruit and vegetables grown include

vineyards are found across the country, as the country's wine industry has developed to become a world-player.[2]

In 1997, $107 million worth of cotton was grown in Israel with most of this sold in advance on the futures market. The crop is grown on 28,570 hectares of land, all of which is drip irrigated. 5.5 tons per hectare of raw cotton is averaged for the Acala crop; the Pima crop averages 5 tons per hectare, which are yields among the highest in the world.[22]

Livestock

Flock of sheep near Aviezer, Israel

IN 2010, Israeli cows were second only to Saudi Arabia in producing 10,035 kilograms (around 10,000 liters) per cow of milk in 2010 outperforming cows in the US (9,314 kg (20,534 lb) per cow), Japan (7,284), Korea (9,816), and Denmark (9,389).[23] A total of 1.6 million liters of milk was produced by Israeli cows in 2023.[24]

All of Israel's

sheep milk is exported. In terms of poultry, which makes up two thirds of meat consumption, 85% originate from moshavim.[2]

IAPV –

apiculture here and has since been identified in colonies around the world.[25]

Fishing and aquaculture

Fishing in Israel

The

Negev desert.[2] Scientists of the Bengis Center for Desert Aquaculture at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev discovered that the brackish water under the desert can be used for agriculture, aquaculture and a combination of the two. This has led to the farming of fish, shrimp and crustaceans in the Negev.[26]

European sea bass and a South American variety of meager. Trout and salmon are raised in special canal-like ponds of running water of the Dan River, a tributary of the Jordan River.[27]

Fruit and vegetables

Israel is a producer and exporter of citrus,[28] including oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and a hybrid of a grapefruit and a pomelo, developed in Israel.[29]

More than forty types of fruit are grown in Israel. In addition to citrus, these include

strawberries, prickly pear (tzabbar), persimmon, loquat and pomegranates.[30] Israel is the second leading producer of loquat after Japan.[31] Almond is also grown.[32]

In 1973, two Israeli scientists, Haim Rabinowitch and Nachum Kedar, developed a variety of tomato with slower ripening than ordinary tomatoes in a hot climate.[33] Their research led to the development of the world's first long shelf-life commercial tomato varieties.[34] This discovery transformed agricultural economics in Israel, promoting the export of the vegetables seeds and the move to high-tech farming.[35] It also had a global impact, enabling large-scale production through the prevention of spoilage. Previously, farmers were forced to discard 40 percent of their produce.[35]

The Tomaccio tomato was developed by Hishtil Nurseries, which conducted a 12-year breeding program using wild Peruvian tomato species to create a sweet snack tomato.[36]

Avocados are a major "money spinner" for Israeli agriculture, with almost half (45 per cent) being sold abroad.[37]

Flowers

Flowers grown for export

In 2022, Israel ranked 9th among the countries in the world in the value of its flower exports which totaled almost $89 million.[38] The flowers grown most commonly are Chamelaucium (waxflower), followed by roses, which are grown on 250 hectares (620 acres) of land.[39] In addition to flowers favored in the West such as lilies, roses, and tulips, Israel exports desert varieties. It has become a major player in the global floral industry, especially as a supplier of traditional European flowers during the winter months. Similar to floriculture around the world, Israel's flower cultivation relies heavily on introduced species.[40]: 15  Here these especially include Ornithogalum dubium, Leucojum aestivum and Paeonia.[40]: 15 

Research and technology

Negev Desert

Israel is a world leader in agricultural research and development, which has led to dramatic increases in the quantity and quality of the country's crops. The drive to increase yields and crop quality has led to the development of new seed and plant varieties, as well as to innovations such as a

soil conditioner substance (vermiculite) which, when mixed with local soils, boosts crop yields, and drip irrigation.[2]

The Agritech Exhibition

The Agritech Exhibition, held once every three years, is one of the leading international events of its kind to showcase Israel and international agriculture technologies. It traditionally attracts many Ministers of Agriculture, decision-makers, experts, practitioners and trainers in agriculture, and thousands of visitors. It provides an opportunity to see at one site the latest developments in agricultural sector and advanced agro-technologies, especially in the fields of irrigation, water management, arid zone agriculture, intensive greenhouse cultivation, development of new seed varieties, and organic and ecologically-oriented agriculture.[41]

At the Agritech Exhibition in 2012 there were more than 35,000 visitors, and more than 250 exhibitors.[42]

Organic farming

Organic produce makes up 1.5% of Israeli agricultural output, but it accounts for 13% of agricultural exports. Israel has 7,000 hectares (70,000 dunams) of organic fields: Vegetable crops grown in open fields account for 65% of the land use, fruit orchards – 25%, hothouse vegetables – 6% and herbs – 4%.[43]

Government regulation

Farm surpluses have been almost eradicated in the country, with farms having production and water quotas for each crop, which have stabilised prices.

Ministry of Agriculture oversees the country's agricultural sector, including maintenance of standards of plant and animal health, agricultural planning, and research and marketing.[2]

Disease

A survey conducted across 2017–2018 made the first detection of Xylella fastidiosa in the country.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Agricultural Land (sq. km) -- Israel". World Bank Open Data. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Agriculture in Israel". Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  3. ^ "Israel -- Country Commercial Guide". International Trade Administration. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  4. ^ Sauer, Corinne; Kirshenbaum, Shaul (21 January 2014). "Israelis give more than NIS 4 billion a year in subsidies to farmers". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Kibbutz and Moshav". Country Studies. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. ^ Regev, Dana (16 May 2016). "Israeli kibbutz: Communal idealism or a privileged few?". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  7. .
  8. ^ Reilly, James (1981). "The Peasantry of Late Ottoman Palestine". Journal of Palestine Studies. 10 (4): 83–84. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  9. ^ Temper, Leah (August 2009). "Creating Facts of the Ground: Agriculture in Israel and Palestine (1882-2000)". Historia Agraria. 48: 75, 87. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  10. ^ Temper 2009, pp. 75, 87.
  11. .
  12. ^ Temper 2009, p. 87.
  13. ^ a b c d Agriculture in Israel Archived March 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ a b c d e Microsoft Word - covers.doc Archived October 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Fewer farmers, more produce, Haaretz
  16. ^ "Israel launches plan to rejuvenate, expand agriculture sector".
  17. ^ a b Wagner, Mati (24 November 2023). "As crops wither, farmers say fields will soon be barren without foreign workers". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  18. ^ a b Ataman, Joseph; Robertson, Nic; Olarn, Kocha (2023-11-26). "Israel's farms need foreign labourers. The Hamas attacks triggered an exodus". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  19. ^ Neuman, Scott (9 November 2023). "Thai farmhands in Israel face a grim choice: work in a war zone or go home to poverty". NPR. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  20. ^ Jayasinghe, Uditha (2023-11-23). "Thousands of Sri Lankan workers set to depart for Israel despite war". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  21. ^ Pensulo, Charles. "An 'unfortunate' arrangement: Malawians alarmed as workers head to Israel". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  22. ^ a b "Israel - Agriculture". Archived from the original on 6 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
  23. ^ "Statistics: Dairy Cows" (PDF). Compassion in World Farming. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  24. ^ [.dairyglobal.net/dairy/milking/dairy-in-israel-how-tragedy-unfolded-on-farms/#:~:text=The%20country%20is%20home%20to,was%20destroyed%20on%20this%20farm. "Dairy in Israel: How Tragedy Unfolded on Farms"]. Dairy Global. Retrieved 20 March 2024. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  25. ^ a b c
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  26. ^ BGU making a difference: Desert fishing
  27. ^ Gur, Jana, The Book of New Israeli Food, pg. 138
  28. ^ Citrus fruit: biology, technology and evaluation, Milind S. Ladaniya
  29. ^ Brinn, David (December 14, 2004). "Israeli fruit hybrid lowers cholesterol". Israel21c. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  30. ^ Gur, pp. 176-179
  31. ^ "Loquat fruit facts". Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  32. ^
    EPPO Global Database
    . 2018. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  33. ^ Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 'Science Train' traverses Israel to mark National Science Day
  34. ^ Yissum: Seed improvement technology
  35. ^ a b Cohen, Amiram (August 12, 2011). "Salad days". Haaretz. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  36. ^ Tomato 'Tomaccio'
  37. ^ Israeli startup aims to cure the scourge of too-hard avocados
  38. ^ "Cut Flowers, Flower Buds: Imports and Exports, 2022". Trend Economy. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  39. ^ "Waxflower Worldwide: An Insight into the Past, Present, and Future". Floral Daily. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  40. ^
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    . Editor: JJ. Editorial Board: MCD, IM, ES.
  41. ^ "Facts Figures Agritech 2009". Archived from the original on 2014-04-13. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  42. ^ "Agritech 2015 - Home Page". Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  43. ^ Cohen, Amiram (April 29, 2011). "Punishment for glutens Organic produce cleaning up its act". Haaretz. Retrieved April 16, 2013.

External links