Agriculture in Israel

Last updated

Galilee lemon grove Lemon Orchard in the Galilee by David Shankbone.jpg
Galilee lemon grove

Agriculture in Israel is a highly developed industry. Israel is an exporter of fresh produce and a leader in agricultural technologies. The southern one-half of Israel is desert and irrigation is required for growing crops. The northern one-half is more conducive to rain-fed agriculture. According to the World Bank, 29.7 percent of Israel is agricultural land. [1] The shortage of water is a constraint. In 2008, agriculture represented 2.5% of total 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]

Contents

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. PikiWiki Israel 1114 hadera byt Aryzh.jpg
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 Ottoman Syria beginning in the late nineteenth century. [7] By 1900, Jewish sector owned 3.8% of all cultivated lands in Palestine. [8] 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 Arab 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." [9] [10] A 1943 survey concluded that 435,700 ha (1,077,000 acres) of land in Ottoman Syria (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 Arab Palestinians abandoned or were forced off the land inside the borders of Israel after the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. [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. [2] Annual renewable water resources are about 160,000,000 cubic metres (5.6×10^9 cu ft), 75% of which is used for agriculture. [2] Most of Israel's freshwater sources have been consequently joined to the 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 PikiWiki Israel 5358 ein yahav hot-houses.jpg
Ein Yahav hothouses

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%. [13] In 1995, there were 43,000 farm units with an average size of 13.5 hectares. 19.8% of these were smaller than 1 hectare, 75.7% were 1 to 9 hectares in size, 3.3% were between 10 and 49 hectares, 0.4% were between 50 and 190 hectares, and 0.8% were larger than 200 hectares. [13] Of the 380,000 hectares under cultivation in 1995, 20.8% was under permanent cultivation and 79.2% under rotating cultivation. [13] Farm units included 160,000 hectares used for activities other than cultivation. Cultivation was based mainly in the northern coastal plains, the hills of the interior, and the upper 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]

Israel is the sixteenth most water stressed country in the world Water Stress, Top Countries (2020).svg
Israel is the sixteenth most water stressed country in the world

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]

After the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, many farmers in Israel faced large scale losses due to international workers being killed, kidnapped and/or leaving the country. While numerous volunteers initiatives were assembled by organizations such as 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. PikiWiki Israel 14301 Gilboa Mountain.JPG
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

Cadets from the IDF officers course working in agriculture fields in Yated, Israel on 7 March 2024 106962 moshav yated - weeding onions PikiWiki Israel.jpg
Cadets from the IDF officers course working in agriculture fields in Yated, Israel on 7 March 2024

Israeli farms relied mostly on Palestinian workers for additional labor up until the 1990s when, following the clashes of the First Intifada and the ensuing restriction on the movement of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank, Israel began to look at other areas for workers. [18] [19] 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. [19] 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. [20] 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. [21] In November of 2023, the Malawi government made an arrangement by Israeli companies to ferry Malawian farm workers to work farms in Israel. [22]

Migrant workers condition

Israel's agricultural sector's heavy reliance on cheap foreign and migrant laborers has led to abuses and exploitations. To combat these violations, the Israeli High Court ruled in 1991 that all Israeli Labor Laws shall apply to the foreign workforce; although execution of the law remains difficult. [23] [24] Problematic phenomena remain rampant and foreign worker continuously suffer from those such as black market laboring, sub-minimum wage, debt bondage, harsh, unsafe and inhumane work environment, human trafficking, false imprisonment, beatings, suicides and uninvestigated deaths. [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31]

Agricultural produce

Wheat growing in the Hula Valley Wheat-haHula-ISRAEL2.JPG
Wheat growing in the Hula Valley

Crops

Climate of Israel Koppen-Geiger Map ISR present.svg
Climate of Israel

Due to the diversity of the land and climate across the country, Israel can 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. [32]

Fruit and vegetables grown include citrus, avocados, kiwifruit, guavas and mangos, grapes from orchards located on the Mediterranean coastal plain. [2] Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and zucchini are grown commonly throughout the country; melons are grown during winter months in the valleys. [2] Subtropical areas in the country produce bananas and dates, while in the northern hills apples, pears and cherries are grown. [2] Furthermore, grape 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. [32]

Livestock

Flock of sheep near Aviezer, Israel Sheep in Aviezer.jpg
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). [33] A total of 1.6 billion liters of milk was produced by Israeli cows in 2023. [34]

All of Israel's milk consumption originates from dairy farms within the country with most herds consisting largely of Israel-Holsteins, a high-yielding, disease-resistant breed. Furthermore, sheep milk is exported. In terms of poultry, which makes up two-thirds of meat consumption, 85% originate from moshavim. [2]

IAPV – Israeli acute paralysis virus – was first discovered here. [35] After recent reports of severe mortality with symptoms similar to acute bee paralysis virus, Maori et al., 2007 isolated IAPV and published an RNA sequence and several other molecular components. [35] IAPV continues to be significant in apiculture here and has since been identified in colonies around the world. [35]

Fishing and aquaculture

Fishing in Israel Fishing in israel.jpg
Fishing in Israel

The Mediterranean Sea is a source of salt-water fishing; freshwater fishing occurs on Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee). Pioneering technology is being used to breed fish in artificial lakes in 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. [36]

Commercial fishing in the eastern Mediterranean has declined significantly due to depletion of fish reserves and the supply of fresh fish in Israel depends almost entirely on aquaculture. Fish from the Sea of Galilee include silver carp, grass carp, grey mullet, St. Peter's fish, rock bass, silver perch, and Asian seabass introduced from Australia. Fish grown in cages submerged in the sea include gilthead seabream (called denis in Israel), 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. [37]

Fruit and vegetables

Date harvest in Israel Dattelernte.jpg
Date harvest in Israel

Israel is a producer and exporter of citrus, [38] including oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and a hybrid of a grapefruit and a pomelo, developed in Israel. [39]

More than forty types of fruit are grown in Israel. In addition to citrus, these include avocados, bananas, apples, olives, cherries, figs, plums, nectarines, grapes, dates, strawberries, prickly pear (tzabbar), persimmon, loquat and pomegranates. [40] Israel is the second leading producer of loquat after Japan. [41] Almond is also grown. [42]

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. [43] Their research led to the development of the world's first long shelf-life commercial tomato varieties. [44] This discovery transformed agricultural economics in Israel, promoting the export of the vegetables seeds and the move to high-tech farming. [45] 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. [45]

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. [46]

Avocados are a major "money spinner" for Israeli agriculture, with almost half (45 per cent) being sold abroad. [47]

Flowers

Flowers grown for export PikiWiki Israel 384 Agriculture in Israel SHdh nvryvt.JPG
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. [48] The flowers grown most commonly are Chamelaucium (waxflower), followed by roses, which are grown on 250 hectares (620 acres) of land. [49] 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. [50] : 15  Here these especially include Ornithogalum dubium , Leucojum aestivum and Paeonia . [50] : 15 

Research and technology

Algaculture in Kibbutz Ketura in the Negev Desert Algoculture au kibboutz Ketura.JPG
Algaculture in Kibbutz Ketura in the 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. [51]

At the Agritech Exhibition in 2012 there were more than 35,000 visitors, and more than 250 exhibitors. [52]

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%. [53]

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. [2] Production quotas apply to milk, eggs, poultry and potatoes. [2] Israel's government also encourages a reduction in agricultural costs by trying to encourage specialised farming, and halting of production of crops for which no sufficiently profitable markets exist. [2] The 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. [42] This was found on almond in the Hula Valley, which is in the northeast. [42] Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified it as the Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa (Xff) subspecies. [42]

Agritourism

Agrotourism in Israel began gaining momentum towards the end of the 1980s as a response to declining agricultural incomes. Many farmers sought alternative sources of income, leading to the development of rural and agricultural tourism. The Israel Ministry of Tourism began providing support in 1993, and in collaboration with the Jewish Agency, runs "Tourism Incubators" in peripheral regions. These incubators offer business advisory services, professional skills training, and business accompaniment for rural tourism operators. [54]

Historical agricultural practices attract visitors to agritourism sites in Israel such as Ein Yael, Neot Kedumim, and Kfar Kedem. These locations showcase traditional methods like terraced farming and ancient irrigation. Tourists can engage in activities such as grape stomping and olive pressing. [55]

The Wine Route and Olive Route in the Mate Yehuda and Yoav regions allow visitors to explore small wineries and ancient and modern oil presses. The Dagon Museum in Haifa displays the history of grain cultivation from ancient times to the present. [55] Binyamina, known for its citrus groves, and Kibbutz Ein Gedi near the Dead Sea, which demonstrates desert farming techniques, are also key agritourism sites. [55]

For insights into the development of modern agriculture, tourists can also visit the Dubrovin Farm museum and the Museum of Pioneer Settlement at Kibbutz Yifat. These sites depict the establishment of Israel's agricultural infrastructure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. [55]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agricultural research in Israel</span>

Agricultural research in Israel is based on close cooperation and interaction between scientists, consultants, farmers and agriculture-related industries. Israel's climate ranges from Mediterranean (Csa) to semi-arid and arid. Shortage of irrigation water and inadequate precipitation in some parts of the country are major constraints facing Israeli agriculture. Through extensive greenhouses production, vegetables, fruits and flowers are grown for export to the European markets during the winter off-season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Tajikistan</span>

Tajikistan is a highly agrarian country, with its rural population at more than 70% and agriculture accounting for 60% of employment and around 20% of GDP in 2020. As is typical of economies dependent on agriculture, Tajikistan has a low income per capita: Soviet Tajikistan was the poorest republic with a staggering 45% of its population in the lowest income “septile”. In 2006 Tajikistan still had the lowest income per capita among the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries: $1,410 compared with nearly $12,000 for Russia. The low income and the high agrarian profile justify and drive the efforts for agricultural reform since 1991 in the hope of improving the population's well-being.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Taiwan</span>

Agriculture is one of the main industries in Taiwan. It contributes to the food security, rural development and conservation of Taiwan. Around 24% of Taiwan's land is used for farming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Ethiopia</span> Overview of agriculture in Ethiopia

Agriculture in Ethiopia is the foundation of the country's economy, accounting for half of gross domestic product (GDP), 0

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Bhutan</span>

Agriculture in Bhutan has a dominant role in the Bhutan's economy. In 2000, agriculture accounted for 35.9% of GDP of the nation. The share of the agricultural sector in GDP declined from approximately 55% in 1985 to 33% in 2003. Despite this, agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for the majority of the population. Pastoralism and farming are naturally complementary modes of subsistence in Bhutan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Algeria</span>

Agriculture in Algeria composes 25% of Algeria's economy and 12% of its GDP in 2010. Prior to Algeria’ colonization in 1830, nonindustrial agriculture provided sustenance for its population of approximately 2-3 million. Domestic agriculture production included wheat, barley, citrus fruits, dates, nuts, and olives. After 1830, colonizers introduced 2200 individual farms operated by private sectors. Colonial farmers continued to produce a variety of fruits, nuts, wheat, vegetables. Algeria became a large producer of wine during the late 19th century due to a crop epidemic that spread across France. Algeria's agriculture evolved after independence was achieved in 1962. The industry experienced multiple policy changes modernize and decry on food imports. Today, Algeria's agriculture industry continues to expand modern irrigation and size of cultivable land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Benin</span>

Benin is predominantly a rural society, and agriculture in Benin supports more than 70% of the population. Agriculture contributes around 35% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and 80% of export income. While the Government of Benin (GOB) aims to diversify its agricultural production, Benin remains underdeveloped, and its economy is underpinned by subsistence agriculture. Approximately 93% of total agricultural production goes into food production. The proportion of the population living in poverty is about 35.2%, with more rural households in poverty (38.4%) than urban households (29.8%). 36% of households depend solely upon agricultural (crop) production for income, and another 30% depend on crop production, livestock, or fishing for income.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Kenya</span> Largest economic sector in the country

Agriculture in Kenya dominates Kenya's economy. 15–17 percent of Kenya's total land area has sufficient fertility and rainfall to be farmed, and 7–8 percent can be classified as first-class land. In 2006, almost 75 percent of working Kenyans made their living by farming, compared with 80 percent in 1980. About one-half of Kenya's total agricultural output is non-marketed subsistence production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Lebanon</span>

Agriculture in Lebanon is the third most productive sector in the country after the tertiary and industrial sectors. It contributes 3.1% of GDP and 8 percent of the effective labor force. The sector includes an informal Syrian labor and is dependent on foreign labor for its productivity. Main crops include cereals, fruits and vegetables, olives, grapes, and tobacco, along with sheep and goat herding. Mineral resources are limited and are only exploited for domestic consumption. Lebanon, which has a variety of agricultural lands, from the interior plateau of the Beqaa Valley to the narrow valleys leading downward to the sea, enables farmers to grow both European and tropical crops. Tobacco and figs are grown in the south, citrus fruits and bananas along the coast, olives in the north and around the Shouf Mountains, and fruits and vegetables in the Beqaa Valley. More exotic crops include avocados, grown near Byblos, and hashish. Although the country benefits from favorable farming conditions and diverse microclimates, it relies on food imports, which make up 80% of its consumption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Sudan</span> Economic sector in Sudan

Agriculture in Sudan plays an important role in that country's economy. Agriculture and livestock raising are the main sources of livelihood for most of the Sudanese population. It was estimated that, as of 2011, 80 percent of the labor force were employed in that sector, including 84 percent of the women and 64 percent of the men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in New Zealand</span> Overview of agriculture in New Zealand

In New Zealand, agriculture is the largest sector of the tradable economy. The country exported NZ$46.4 billion worth of agricultural products in the 12 months to June 2019, 79.6% of the country's total exported goods. The agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector directly contributed $12.653 billion of the national GDP in the 12 months to September 2020, and employed 143,000 people, 5.9% of New Zealand's workforce, as of the 2018 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Bolivia</span>

The role of agriculture in the Bolivian economy in the late 1980s expanded as the collapse of the tin industry forced the country to diversify its productive and export base. Agricultural production as a share of GDP was approximately 23 percent in 1987, compared with 30 percent in 1960 and a low of just under 17 percent in 1979. The recession of the 1980s, along with unfavorable weather conditions, particularly droughts and floods, hampered output. Agriculture employed about 46 percent of the country's labor force in 1987. Most production, with the exception of coca, focused on the domestic market and self-sufficiency in food. Agricultural exports accounted for only about 15 percent of total exports in the late 1980s, depending on weather conditions and commodity prices for agricultural goods, hydrocarbons, and minerals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Jordan</span>

Agriculture in Jordan contributed substantially to the economy at the time of Jordan's independence, but it subsequently suffered a decades-long steady decline. In the early 1950s, agriculture constituted almost 40 percent of GNP; on the eve of the Six-Day War, it was 17 percent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Cyprus</span>

Agriculture in Cyprus constituted the backbone of its economy when it achieved its independence in 1960. It mostly consisted of small farms, and sometimes even subsistence farms. During the 1960s, irrigation projects made possible vegetable and fruit exports; increasingly commercialized farming was able to meet the demands for meat, dairy products, and wine from the British and United Nations troops stationed on the island and from the growing number of tourists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Spain</span> Overview of agriculture in Spain

Agriculture in Spain is important to the national economy. The primary sector activities accounting for agriculture, husbandry, fishing and silviculture represented a 2.7% of the Spanish GDP in 2017, with an additional 2.5% represented by the agrofood industry.

Despite the crisis in Syria, agriculture remains a key part of the economy. The sector still accounts for an estimated 26 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and represents a critical safety net for the 6.7 million Syrians – including those internally displaced – who still remain in rural areas. However, agriculture and the livelihoods that depend on it have suffered massive losses . Today, food production is at a record low and around half the population remaining in Syria are unable to meet their daily food needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Saudi Arabia</span>

Agriculture in Saudi Arabia is focused on the export of dates, dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and flowers to markets around the world after achieving self-sufficiency in the production of such products. The government of Saudi Arabia is heavily involved in the agriculture industry and subsidizing corporate farming and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is primarily responsible for agricultural policy. In the private sector, farmers receive long-term interest-free government loans and low-cost water, fuel, electricity, and duty-free imports of raw materials and machinery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in South Africa</span> Overview of the agriculture in South Africa

Agriculture in South Africa contributes around 5% of formal employment, relatively low compared to other parts of Africa and the number is still decreasing, as well as providing work for casual laborers and contributing around 2.6 percent of GDP for the nation. Due to the aridity of the land, only 13.5 percent can be used for crop production, and only 3 percent is considered high potential land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farming systems in India</span>

Farming systems in India are strategically utilized, according to the locations where they are most suitable. The farming systems that significantly contribute to the agriculture of India are subsistence farming, organic farming, industrial farming. Regions throughout India differ in types of farming they use; some are based on horticulture, ley farming, agroforestry, and many more. Due to India's geographical location, certain parts experience different climates, thus affecting each region's agricultural productivity differently. India is very dependent on its monsoon cycle for large crop yields. India's agriculture has an extensive background which goes back to at least 9 thousand years. In India, in the alluvial plains of the Indus River in Pakistan, the old cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa experienced an apparent establishment of an organized farming urban culture. That society, known as the Harappan or Indus civilization, flourished until shortly after 4000 BP; it was much more comprehensive than those of Egypt or Babylonia and appeared earlier than analogous societies in northern China. Currently, the country holds the second position in agricultural production in the world. In 2007, agriculture and other industries made up more than 16% of India's GDP. Despite the steady decline in agriculture's contribution to the country's GDP, agriculture is the biggest industry in the country and plays a key role in the socio-economic growth of the country. India is the second-largest producer of wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, silk, groundnuts, and dozens more. It is also the second biggest harvester of vegetables and fruit, representing 8.6% and 10.9% of overall production, respectively. The major fruits produced by India are mangoes, papayas, sapota, and bananas. India also has the biggest number of livestock in the world, holding 281 million. In 2008, the country housed the second largest number of cattle in the world with 175 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of agriculture in Palestine</span>

The history of agriculture in Palestine dates back to 8000 BCE and some of the earliest agricultural settlements in the world. Several of the crops grown by the earliest farmers continued to be important throughout the long history of Palestinian agriculture. In the 19th century CE the Ottoman Empire discouraged, with limited success, the long-standing communal land system called musha'a practiced by the Palestinian Arab farmers living in the highlands. Wheat and barley were their most important crops and were grown primarily for subsistence rather than the commercial market. Olives are an important traditional crop. In the late 19th century Palestinians began to grow commercial and export crops such as citrus in the lowlands near the Mediterranean Sea coast. Large landowners, both resident and non-resident, owned a large part of the land, especially near the coast.

References

  1. ↑ "Agricultural Land (sq. km) -- Israel". World Bank Open Data. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Agriculture in Israel" . Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  3. ↑ "Israel -- Country Commercial Guide". International Trade Administration. 6 October 2023. 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. ↑ Spencer C. Tucker, ed. (2008). The Encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. ABC-CLIO. pp. 36–39. ISBN   9781851098422.
  8. ↑ Temper, Leah (August 2009). "Creating Facts of the Ground: Agriculture in Israel and Palestine (1882-2000)". Historia Agraria. 48: 75.
  9. ↑ Reilly, James (1981). "The Peasantry of Late Ottoman Palestine". Journal of Palestine Studies. 10 (4): 83–84. doi:10.2307/2536390. JSTOR   2536390 . Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  10. 1 2 Temper 2009, pp. 75, 87.
  11. ↑ Morris, Benny (2009). A History of the First Arab-Israeli War. New Haven: Yale University Press. pp. 252–258. ISBN   9780300151121.
  12. ↑ Temper 2009, p. 87.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Agriculture in Israel Archived March 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 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. 1 2 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. ↑ Israel's Closure of The West Bank and Gaza Strip (Report). Vol. 8, 3E. Human Rights Watch. July 1996.
  19. 1 2 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.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ Jayasinghe, Uditha (2023-11-23). "Thousands of Sri Lankan workers set to depart for Israel despite war". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  22. ↑ Pensulo, Charles. "An 'unfortunate' arrangement: Malawians alarmed as workers head to Israel". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  23. ↑ חוק עובדים זרים, תשנ"א-1991. The Kneseet.
  24. ↑ Udell, Jacob; Hsu, Angie; Shauer, Noa. "Migrant Agricultural Workers in Israel: Context, Issues, and Recommendations for Ensuring Fair Employment" (PDF). Worker's Hotline (December 2013). Kav LaOved.
  25. ↑ Ellman, Michael; Laacher, Smain (2003). Migrant Workers in Israel - A Contemporary Form of Slavery (PDF). The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network & The International Federation For Human Rights. ISBN   8791224047.
  26. ↑ Yang, Joshua (25 April 2024). "Israel Is Desperate to Replace Palestinian Farmhands". Foreign Policy.
  27. ↑ Schmunk, Rhianna (1 December 2023). "Israel: Rush to Replace Palestinian and Migrant Agricultural and Construction Workers Raises Concerns of Futher Deterioration of "abhorrent" work conditions". Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.
  28. ↑ "Workers in Shackles". Haaretz. 11 February 2003.
  29. ↑ Trafficking of Persons in the Agricultural Sector in Israel: Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Ms. Siobhán Mullally (PDF) (Report). Kav LaOved. 31 January 2022.
  30. ↑ Cohen, Nizzan Zvi (12 July 2024). "More Foreign Workers, Fewer Protections: Leading Workers' Rights Org. Says Israel Slouching Toward Dubai". Davar.
  31. ↑ A Raw Deal: Abuse of Thai Workers in Israel's Agricultural Sector (Report). Human Rights Watch. 21 January 2015.
  32. 1 2 "Israel - Agriculture". Archived from the original on 6 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
  33. ↑ "Statistics: Dairy Cows" (PDF). Compassion in World Farming. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  34. ↑ "Dairy in Israel: How Tragedy Unfolded on Farms". Dairy Global. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  35. 1 2 3
  36. ↑ BGU making a difference: Desert fishing
  37. ↑ Gur, Jana, The Book of New Israeli Food, pg. 138
  38. ↑ Citrus fruit: biology, technology and evaluation, Milind S. Ladaniya
  39. ↑ Brinn, David (December 14, 2004). "Israeli fruit hybrid lowers cholesterol". Israel21c. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  40. ↑ Gur, pp. 176-179
  41. ↑ "Loquat fruit facts". Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  42. 1 2 3 4 "First report of Xylella fastidiosa in Israel". EPPO Global Database . 2018. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  43. ↑ Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 'Science Train' traverses Israel to mark National Science Day
  44. ↑ Yissum: Seed improvement technology
  45. 1 2 Cohen, Amiram (August 12, 2011). "Salad days". Haaretz . Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  46. ↑ Tomato 'Tomaccio'
  47. ↑ Israeli startup aims to cure the scourge of too-hard avocados
  48. ↑ "Cut Flowers, Flower Buds: Imports and Exports, 2022". Trend Economy. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  49. ↑ "Waxflower Worldwide: An Insight into the Past, Present, and Future". Floral Daily. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  50. 1 2 Janick, Jules; Daunay, Marie-Christine; Merwin, Ian; Stover, Ed, eds. (2010). Horticultural Reviews. Vol. 36. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. xv+371. ISBN   978-0-470-50520-5. OCLC   647884106. Editor: JJ. Editorial Board: MCD, IM, ES.
  51. ↑ "Facts Figures Agritech 2009". Archived from the original on 2014-04-13. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  52. ↑ "Agritech 2015 - Home Page". Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  53. ↑ Cohen, Amiram (April 29, 2011). "Punishment for glutens Organic produce cleaning up its act". Haaretz . Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  54. ↑ Tchetchik, Anat; Fleischer, Aliza; Finkelshtain, Israel (2006). "Rural Tourism: Development, Public Intervention And Lessons from the Israeli Experience" (PDF). The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Department of Agricultural Economics and Management. The Center for Agricultural Economic Research. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  55. 1 2 3 4 Griver, Simon (May 1999). "Agricultural Tourism in Israel". Jewish Virtual Library.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.