Israel’s Agri Innovations Set Benchmark for Climate Adaptation

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are rising, and the urgent challenges of intensifying droughts, land degradation, and water scarcity due to climate change demand immediate attention.

The compounding issues of over-farming, driven by increasing demands from population growth and the adverse effects of rising temperatures and lingering heat waves, are exacerbating the problems of climate change.

According to the United Nations, around 40% of the world’s land surface has been degraded, including 30% of cropland and 10% of pastureland. Land degradation is considered “the single greatest cause of terrestrial biodiversity loss” and can devastate communities, leading to social and economic instability.

The IPCC report says that drylands cover nearly 50% of the global land areas and are home to 3 billion people. Between the 1980s and 2000s, desertification of drylands increased by 9.2%, covering close to 50% of the global land areas and home to three billion people, affecting about 500 million people in 2015. The people most affected are South and East Asia, the Sahara region, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Israel’s exemplary food production and water management achievements

Countries must prepare to adapt to desertification and manage water resources efficiently.  The good news is that a country already excels in doing these things. Israel’s agriculture and water management practices allowed it to thrive in arid and hot conditions.

They made it a world leader in research, innovation, and cutting technologies in water management and agriculture. How this water-scarce country, with its land consisting of 55% desert pulled off, produces surplus water and food is remarkable. Countries in the world facing water scarcity issues and land degradation should learn from Israel’s practices and technologies.

IsraelAgri website showcases innovations in agriculture, aquaculture, and food growing and the application of continuous research and learning results to maximise food yields and water use in one of the most challenging environments. The website features smart practices in using resources and integrating sophisticated equipment and IT systems to optimise every operation, from food growing to processing to retail.

For instance, to address water scarcity and apply water conservation, an Israel-based farm recirculates its irrigation water with the help of an on-site green oxidation technology. Another example is an agriculture company, Genesis Seeds. According to IsraelAgri, the company has not only transformed an area of clay-rich and saline soil of the Negev desert into a verdant farm growing herbs and other vegetables but also applies 100% organic farming. The company also produces organic seeds and has a vision of sharing its expertise in organic farming and providing organic growers with the necessary skills and knowledge, particularly in using organic pesticides and insecticides.

Lastly, a company, Yevul Info, applies precision fertilisation technology that monitors crop responses and allows early intervention in fertiliser application, resulting in up to a 30% reduction of chemical use. The technology allows farmers to reduce the over-fertilisation of crops, which is a common practice in some wealthy countries with detrimental environmental effects, while ensuring optimum crop growth and yield.

IsraelAgri website is full of other examples of innovative farming and food production practices in Israel across the entire agricultural landscape, including creating resistant seeds, indoor farming, integrated pest management, and even fish farming, showcasing best practices in Israel that could serve as an inspiration and example to the world in on how to adapt to climate change, becoming sustainable and conservation of our dwindling natural land and water resources.