Scientist at the Volcani Center for Agricultural Research (Photo: GPO / A. Ohayon)
Since the first Kibbutz farmers stuck their hoes in Israeli soil, a great deal of progress has been made in the agricultural technology sector. Today, governments, companies and individuals from around the world are looking to Israel to solve imminent problems in our environment and food system: namely drought, and over-use of water, fertilizer resources, and sustainable farming. Decades of experience in the field have allowed Israeli farmers to experiment and innovate new methods of farming, for the benefit of the world.
The agricultural sector is based almost entirely on R&D, implemented by cooperation between farmers and researchers. Research results are quickly transmitted through an extension service to the field for trial, and problems are brought directly to the scientists for solutions. Agricultural R&D is carried out primarily by the Ministry of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Organization. Most agricultural research institutes in Israel maintain close relations with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, ensuring a continuous exchange of information with other countries.
Israel’s dairy cows are, on average, the world champions in milk production, having increased the average yield per cow from 6,300 liters in 1970 to over 10,000 liters today through scientific breeding and genetic testing carried out by the Volcani Institute. By harvesting sperm and ova from cattle of superior bloodlines, Israel is able to upgrade its own herd as well as share its advances in this field with other countries.
Israeli agriculturists have pioneered trickle-drip irrigation, agricultural biotechnology, soil solarization, and the sustained use of industrial waste water for agriculture. These advances have been applied to marketable products, ranging from genetically engineered seeds and biopesticides to light-degradable plastics and computerized irrigation/fertilization systems.
Making optimal use of scarce water, harsh land, and a limited labor force has led to revolutions in agricultural methods. The search for water-saving techniques spurred development of computer-controlled irrigation systems, including the drip method which directs water flow straight to the root zone of plants, helping farmers worldwide. Research relating to the electro-magnetic treatment of water to improve animal health and crop yields has also produced promising results.
Netafim, the largest drip irrigation company in the world, might be the best example of simple Israeli know-how making a big difference. The company’s long, narrow, drop irrigation pipes water plants using a minimal amount of water, and in an efficient manner. Netafim has put the impact sprinkler out of business and helps farmers in over 110 countries save precious water, money and resources.
Israeli-designed and manufactured computers are widely used to coordinate daily farming activities, such as guiding fertilizer injection while monitoring relevant environmental factors, supplying feed for livestock mixed according to tested least-cost/best-yield proportions, and providing a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment for poultry. In addition, a variety of innovative equipment for tilling, sowing, planting, harvesting, collecting, sorting, and packing has been developed, manufactured, and implemented.
Agriculture has also benefited from general scientific research and R&D, including automated plant tissue culture, biological insecticides, disease-resistant seeds, and biological fertilization.
The first agricultural school established in Israel in 1870, the ‘Mikveh Israel School’, was established by farmers who wanted to share their knowledge in grappling with the rigid Israeli climate. At the first agricultural “incubator” of ideas, farmers learned from tales of experimentation with various unheard-of- tools, of new kinds of plants that could sustain the nation, as well as revolutionary planting methods made suitable to Israel’s climate. From a group of brainstorming farmers, Mikveh Israel eventually became the Agricultural Research Organization, Israel’s major institution for agricultural research and development.
Due to a lack of infrastructure, Israel’s first immigrants were forced to think of new ways to accelerate their progress forward. As Gidi Grinstein points out in Saul Singer and Dan Senor’s chronicle of Israel’s high-tech success, the Startup Nation, “Immigrants are not averse to starting from scratch. They are by definition risk-takers. A nation of immigrants is a nation of entrepreneurs.”
A lack of aversion to risk-taking and a plethora of skill-sets helped Israel develop a wide range of industries within a short period of time. From agriculture and textile manufacturing, to engineering and computing, Israel’s immigrants mustered what skills they could to contribute to the shared goal of building a prosperous state.