Israel
- Agro-Technology
Israel is one of the most
densely populated countries in the world, and yet only 20% of the land
is arable - and half of that has to be irrigated. More than half of
Israel is arid or semi-arid, and the rest of the country is dominated by
steep hillsides and forests. Yet thanks to cutting-edge technology,
Israel not only produces most of its own food, but also exports $1.3
billion worth of agricultural produce annually. This includes farm
products as well as some $1.2 billion worth of agricultural inputs and
technology sold overseas every year.
Because Israeli farmers and scientists have had to contend with a
difficult environment and limited water resources, their experience is
especially relevant to the developing world. Development of greenhouse
equipment, seed and livestock propagation, fertilizers and pesticides
have enabled Israeli agriculture to prosper in adversity. In addition,
farmers have learned to develop high value-added and innovative farm
products that enable them to compete in markets with lower-cost
producers. Water management, recycling, desalination and transportation
in the National Water Carrier have enabled the country to overcome
drastic shortages.
Every three years, the country's accomplishments are showcased in the
national Agritech exhibition; in September 1999, the exhibition drew a
record 9,000 overseas visitors from more than 100 countries.
Water Problems and Possibilities
Israel has striking rainfall inequalities. While the north of the
country enjoys a relatively generous rainfall of 700 millimeters each
year, the central region receives only 400-600 millimeters and the south
sees a meager 25 millimeters annually. The National Water Carrier, which
transports water from north to south, has helped to remedy these
regional imbalances.
Beyond transportation, Israel has developed effective solutions for the
dearth of water in some areas. Efficient water management has increased
agricultural output 12-fold during the past 50 years, while water
consumption has remained constant through rigorous maintenance of
infrastructure, replenishing of aquifers and the allocation of
appropriate quotas and pricing to discourage wasteful consumption.
The use of recycled water has provided another solution. Out of 1.1
billion cubic meters of water used for agriculture in 1998,
approximately 250 million cubic meters were recycled effluents. The
Water Commission forecasts that by 2010 one third of all crops will be
irrigated with "cleaned" water. Twenty-four desalination plants in Eilat,
the Dead Sea region and the Arava Desert supply another 161 million
cubic meters of irrigation water each year.
Another 70 million cubic meters of water are generated annually from
underground sources; geothermal waters found beneath the surface of the
Negev desert are also used. Farmers have found that salt water produces
"sweeter" crops than regular water. "Desert sweet" tomatoes and melons,
for instance, fetch premium prices on European markets.
Cloud seeding (injecting clouds with iodine to increase the percentage
of water that each cloud yields) has proven effective. Exploration
(using sophisticated seismological techniques), prevention of pollution,
soil conservation and drainage have all maximized water use. Landscaping
to redirect floodwaters, computerized calculations to chart routes of
runoff water and the strategic placement of trees and crops have also
prevented desertification
Every Drop Counts
Perhaps the most innovative development in water utilization has been
drip irrigation, conceived in Israel some 35 years ago. Today, networks
of plastic pipes with small openings for each plant or tree are
strategically placed across fields. Via the drippers, controlled amounts
of fertilizer can be pumped through the irrigation pipes to the plants –
a system known as "fertigation".
Traditionally, drip irrigation has been used in regions where water is
scarce, but it has also been effective where rainfall is high because of
its precision. For example, experiments in Northern California in
"precision" irrigation caused some types of tree to grow three times
faster. Fast-growing trees can increase profits for timber growers and
at the same time minimize environmental damage by reducing the number of
trees that need to be felled.
Half a dozen Israeli companies sell plastic piping and a full range of
accessories for drip irrigation. Many also specialize in designing
customized irrigation systems for gardens, parks, farms and entire
regions, installing them and then providing consultation and
maintenance. Exports of irrigation equipment totaled almost $300 million
in 1998.
Other types of irrigation include: pressure irrigation methods; buried
irrigation, which prevents infiltration by tiny roots; spray irrigation,
which is suitable for orchards; and sprinklers used for entire fields.
These systems can be very simple or high-tech. Options range from the
basic turn on/off variety with volume clocks, to more sophisticated
computerized systems, which include sensors to monitor the moisture
level of the soil and check changes in the diameter of the stem or
fruit. Other accessories include filter traps to sweep dirt away and low
flow drip emitters for soil-less media in greenhouses. Minute or
ultra-low-rate (ULR) irrigation methods have been developed to apply
water at rates of less than one millimeter per hour.
Bugs at Bay
Plagues of insects, fungi and weeds beset farmers worldwide, and Israeli
companies have developed a range of pesticides and herbicides as well as
non-chemical and biological control methods. Israel is home to the
world's largest producer of generic agro-chemicals. In 1999, Israel
exported over $117 million worth of these pesticides and growth
regulators.
Manufacturers produce large quantities of methyl bromide and formaline
for disinfecting the soil. Environmentally friendly detergents, which
coat leaves, have been developed to create a physical barrier between
the parasite and the leaf without harming the leaf. Fungicides to
prevent rotting in grapes as well as chemicals to combat pests in citrus
fruit and powdery mildew in groves and vineyards are also produced.
Other recent developments include a defoliant for cotton and herbicides
for early treatment of weeds.
With environmental protection in mind, biological pesticides have been
developed. Natural predators, which wipe out a particular pest without
damaging the crop itself, are also cultivated. One kibbutz breeds tiny
spiders, which prey on mites that can destroy strawberries, and exports
them by the million to California. A Jerusalem-based biotechnology
company developed fungi designed to attack powdery mildew, and bacteria
to destroy moths. Another company developed a polyethylene film, which
acts as an insect repellent by blocking ultra-violet rays.
Growth Industry
The Dead Sea region, which provides bromine for pesticides, is also rich
in potassium, phosphor and magnesium, which are ingredients for
agricultural fertilizers. Israel exports both ready-to-use fertilizers
and raw materials to manufacture fertilizer worldwide.
Foliage fertilizers from potassium phosphate, potassium sulfide and
nitrogen potassium phosphate are manufactured locally. Israel is also
one of the world's largest producers of potassium nitrate, a highly
soluble fertilizer suitable for a variety of plants and crops. Two
additional highly soluble fertilizers, mono-ammonium phosphate and
mono-potassium phosphate, are also produced.
Fertigation has led to the development of a new generation of soluble
fertilizers for injection into irrigation systems. Basic chemicals such
as nitrogen or ammoniac nitrogen with trace elements of iron, quartz,
manganese and copper, which enrich the soil and enhance the growth of
plants, have been combined to develop soluble fertilizers.
Greenhouses for Hot Climates
Invented by the Dutch for cooler climes in Northern Europe, the
greenhouse has been adapted by Israel for use in arid regions. Some
3,000 hectares of greenhouse cultivation enable farmers to overcome
restrictions imposed by soil quality, arid climate and limited water
supply.
Greenhouses can be erected in places where the soil is unsuitable.
Irrigation systems overcome the problem of water scarcity, and curtains
and skylights can be regulated to filter out or admit sunlight and
provide temperature control. Plastic covering provides for thermal
disinfecting of the soil prior to planting, covers the soil for heat
collection, prevents growth of weeds and pests, and minimizes
evaporation and the escape of fertilizers. Netting above the plants can
keep out scales, mites and other pests while more sophisticated netting
can act as a thermal screen, cooling plants during the day and keeping
them warm at night. Fogging systems can be used for climate control.
All these systems can be operated by computer programs designed to
generate a micro-environment on the cutting edge of 21st-century
farming. Several Israeli companies manufacture and export woven
high-tech plastic sheeting and specialize in custom greenhouse projects,
including consultation, installation and maintenance. Because of the
high initial investment, greenhouses are best suited for high
value-added crops such as vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants and
spices, and for intensive farming. Israeli greenhouses, for instance,
average three million roses per hectare and yield an average of 300 tons
of tomatoes per hectare each season.
Best of the Breed
Israeli scientists have developed seed varieties that are resistant to
disease, provide higher and better-quality yields with less water even
in hot climates, and produce food with a longer shelf life. In 1998,
Israel exported over $35 million worth of such seeds.
The process of developing a new seed can take five years or more, but
the latest biotechnological methods have reduced this time by 20%.
Recent innovations include a variety of hybrid cotton with longer,
stronger fibers, which gives a higher yield while requiring less water;
some varieties are grown in natural colors of brown or green.
Sophisticated methods of crossbreeding have developed seeds that
minimize the need for fertilizers and pesticides, producing high
added-value crops, e.g., cherry tomatoes, greenhouse tomatoes and Galia
melons. Seedless, cantaloupe-sized and black-skinned watermelons as well
as saucer-shaped zucchini are profitable new developments.
In an effort to develop the most appropriate animals for the Middle
East's hot and arid climate, Israeli breeders have found that the
European Holstein cow adapts well. It boasts very high milk yields that
are rich in protein and fat. The Holsteins' output has been aided by
computerized feeding and milking systems, enabling the local dairy and
beef industry to supply most local needs.
The emphasis in poultry breeding has been on disease-resistant chickens
and turkeys that can survive in extreme heat. Israeli layers have among
the world's highest annual egg output at some 280 per bird. In addition,
195,000 tons of chicken and 121,000 tons of turkey meat are produced
each year. Israel is also the second-largest breeder of ostriches in the
world after South Africa, but the meat, which is not kosher, is
exported. Israeli foie gras is of such high quality that it is exported
even to France.
Breeders have also been successful in developing improved strains of
sheep and goats, which are especially important in the Arab and Bedouin
sectors as a source of milk and meat. The hybrid Awassi sheep is larger,
woollier, has higher milk yields and can be raised in arid, semi-arid
and sub-tropical climates. The Assaf sheep is a cross between the Awassi
and the German Friesian and has improved milk and meat production; most
importantly, the Assaf has three lambings every two years, which is 50%
higher than in regular Awassis. Male Saanen goats imported from Europe
and crossbred with the local Mamber breed produce a high milk yield
goat. Israeli breeders can supply reproductive material (frozen semen
and embryos) from improved breeds of sheep and goats that are especially
suitable for arid regions of Asia, Africa and America.
Israel is also a world leader in fish breeding. Fish are bred in small
ponds, which produce up to 500 kilograms of fish per cubic meter of
water annually. Innovative re-circulation systems enable water in these
super-intensive farms to be recycled.
Upgrading Global Agriculture
Eighty percent of farms are owned and run by kibbutzim (collective
villages) and moshavim (cooperative villages). The remaining 20% are
mainly citrus groves in the center of the country owned by large private
companies. Kibbutzim often develop, design, manufacture and market their
own agro-technology inputs. Drip irrigation was developed in a kibbutz
and all major manufacturers of the equipment are kibbutz-based.
These farmers work closely with the country's ten agricultural research
institutes, including the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) and
the Hebrew University's Faculty of Agriculture in Rehovot. Twenty-five
professional and marketing associations also fund R&D, as do various
government bodies and hundreds of private firms in the biotechnology and
computer software sectors.
Manufacturers of agro-technological inputs and their customers
increasingly realize that their products are most effective when
accompanied by professional services. Drip irrigation systems and
greenhouses are more productive when the infrastructure is custom
designed, installed and later maintained to meet a customer's specific
needs. Productivity of fertilizers, pesticides and genetically developed
seeds and livestock can be maximized by consultation with professionals.
Experts are now specializing in upgrading agricultural production for
entire regions. Companies take on turnkey projects that incorporate more
efficient water use, irrigation systems, crop and seed choice. They also
advise on seasonal timing to fetch the best prices on world markets, on
choice of fertilizer and pesticide to minimize environmental damage, and
on the selection of livestock. Farmers of a particular region are then
trained to use their newly acquired technologies.
Sustainability
Israeli agro-technology, from irrigation and efficient water management
to fertilization techniques and genetically improved seeds and
livestock, has dramatically improved local yields, and could go a long
way towards feeding a hungry world.
Israeli professionals are currently planning rural development projects
in Thailand, the Philippines and Brazil. In the Gap region of Turkey, an
area half the size of Israel, experts are upgrading the province's
agriculture based on more efficient use of water from the Tigris River.
The key word in these projects is sustainability. Companies stress that
agro-technologies must not only be appropriate for a particular region
or climate, but local farmers must also be trained to use and maintain
the systems they purchase.
A Few Good Ideas
Weighty Considerations
Poultry growers can ensure higher profits by producing a flock of the
same size and weight. Scientists at Israel's Agricultural Research
Organization's department of environmental engineering have developed a
device that sorts live fowl, enabling breeders to produce flocks of
uniform size. Birds are moved on a conveyor belt fitted with
sophisticated hooks which hold the birds as they are weighed and sorted
by size via a precise electronic weighing system. A small flag in one of
four colors attached to the hook indicates the bird's weight. The chicks
are removed manually from the conveyor and placed in different pens
according to the flags. Up to 2,600 birds an hour can be sorted in this
manner, yielding big savings and thus enabling the system to pay for
itself within 12 - 14 months.
Cutting Edge Technology
A range of manual pruners developed by Haifa-based Easy Cut Ltd, for use
in both commercial agriculture and home gardening makes it easier to
pick delicate fruits, vegetables and flowers without damaging them,
thereby increasing output by 20-50%. Based on the bio-mechanics of the
human hand, the pruners have a lightweight gripper mechanism that
enables the picker to hold a branch or fruit, without flattening or
crushing its stem. The gripper mechanism can also be sold as an
independent component, and attached to ordinary pruning shears or
clippers. The pruners' designs vary according to the type of fruit,
quality and size being cut, but all are designed to grip, cut and
harvest fruit using one hand. The pruners also make it possible for the
picked fruit to be conveyed to the collecting mechanism without hand
contact. This is very important for consumers in certain countries like
Japan.
No More Bad Apples
Fruitonics Ltd. has unveiled a new automatic fruit sorting system. While
weight and color may be judged automatically, until now quality grading
for blemishes has always had to be done by hand. Optigrade II performs
all these functions simultaneously, comparing each piece of fruit to an
ideal image and charting its variation from the ideal, according to
thousands of images. The system can detect blemishes only a millimeter
or two in size - hardly visible to the naked eye. It not only looks at
the skin but can also detect brown spots under the skin. It can even be
taught to recognize unique or unusual blemishes by using artificial
intelligence. Infrared and the latest sensing technology sort up to 10
pieces of fruit per second and the criteria for quality can be adjusted
to the type of market for which the fruit is destined. Fruitonics claims
that the labor-saving system pays for itself in less than two years.
Firm Understanding
Most apple, pear, kiwi and persimmon crops are stored for long periods
of time in controlled-atmosphere, cold-storage rooms. Because the oxygen
level in these rooms is very low, it is difficult to monitor the quality
of the fruits. However, Eshet Eilon of Kibbutz Eilon has recently
completed the development of a central, remote-controlled system for
monitoring the firmness of fruits inside cold-storage rooms, based on
acoustical technology. In each room, a sample of fruits is placed on
small monitoring units containing a small thumper and a piezo-electric
sensor. Computer analysis of the vibration created inside the fruits by
the tiny thumpers provides a continuous, clear picture of the fruits'
firmness. The system can also monitor and even control the ripening
process of fruit which was harvested while still green.
Source: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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