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Traveling from the symposium in Iowa to the agriculture fields of Israel demonstrated that new technologies are being developed for achieving world food security. Israel has placed a very high priority on agriculture in order to feed its population and build its economy. With over two-thirds of the country categorized as arid or semi-arid, and with significant water constraints, Israel has focused on the development of very unique agro-technologies. As explained by Dr. Arie Regev, with the Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, “Israel has focused its research on hot climates and desert agriculture in stress conditions.”
Water has been the starting point for the research and technology but it extends far beyond water to a wide range of innovation….and at every level the environment is uppermost in consideration. The Agriculture Research Organization (the Israeli version of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service) works closely with the private sector and the universities to focus on technology for producing food stress conditions.
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In all likelihood, the water used in the drip irrigation systems has been recycled after human use. Potable water for agriculture use is being replaced by recycled water. Currently, approximately 75 percent of the water used for irrigation in Israel has been reclaimed and recycled. The country that comes in second on this score is Spain where 12 percent of the water used for irrigation has been reclaimed.
In other efforts:
· Brackish water is being used for several crops.
· Large-scale greenhouses have shifted to close-circuited irrigation and fertilizer systems. The nutrients are reused by using filtered water drainage in soilless cultivations.
· The greenhouses are totally protected environments that can control heat, humidity and insect infiltration.
· Different biological means are used for pest controls—thus maintaining the biological balance of the surroundings.
· Special insulation is used in the hen houses to protect the chicks from the external temperatures and allow them to grow efficiently.
· Dairy cows are bred to combine genetic traits of high production and resistance to heat and stress conditions in order to maintain milk production in the desert.
· Biotechnology is being used to the maximum extent possible to produce seeds and varieties or crops that grow best in arid conditions.
· Post- harvest technology is being developed to minimize spoilage and extend the shelf life of fresh products.
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With the trend in global warming, Israel’s expertise in desert farming becomes even more valuable. While the technologies have been shared, they have not yet been maximized. Much of Israel’s agro-technology has application in the Sub-Sahara and other arid areas that are struggling every day just to survive. If the world can ever get beyond (or just around) the politics, it might really be time to turn swords into plowshares in order to advance the cause of world food security.