What is Israel's agriculture?

Answer 1

Israel is a major exporter of fresh produce and a world-leader in agricultural technologies, despite the fact that the geography of Israel is not conducive to agriculture. While agricultural workers make up only 3.7% of the work force, Israel produces 95% of its own food requirements, supplementing this with imports of grain, oilseeds, meat, coffee, cocoa and sugar.

Due to the diversity of the land and climate across the country, Israel is able to grow a wide range of crops. Field crops grown in the country include wheat, sorghum and corn.

Fruit and vegetables grown include citrus, avocados, kiwifruit, guavas and mangoes from orchards located on the Mediterranean coastal plain. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and zucchini are grown commonly throughout the country, while melons are grown during winters months in the valleys. Subtropical areas in the country produce bananas and dates, while in the northern hills apples, pears and cherries are grown. Furthermore, grape vineyards are found across the country, as the country's wine industry has developed to become a world-player.

Large quantities of cotton are grown in Israel, all of which is drip irrigated, with yields amongst the highest in the world.

LivestockLocal cows produce the highest amounts of milk per animal in the world, with an average of around 10,000 liters of dairy in 2009, according to data published in 2011 by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.

Furthermore, sheep milk is exported. In terms of poultry which makes up two thirds of meat consumption, 85% originate from moshavim.

Fishing and aquacultureThe Mediterranean Sea sees salt-water fishing while freshwater fishing occurs on Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee). Pioneering technology is being developed in the Negev desert in the south, with fish being grown in kibbutzim and artificial lakes. Fruit and vegetablesIsrael is one of the world's leading fresh citrus producers and exporters, including Oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and the pomelit, a hybrid of a grapefruit and a pomelo, developed in Israel.

More than forty types of fruit are grown in Israel. In addition to citrus, these include avocados, bananas, apples, cherries, plums, nectarines, grapes, dates, strawberries, prickly pear (tzabbar), persimmon, loquat (shesek) and pomegranates. Israel is the leading producer of loquat (shesek) after Japan.

In 1973, two Israeli scientists, developed a variety of tomato with slower ripening than ordinary tomatoes in a hot climate. Their research led to the development of the world's first long shelf-life commercial tomato varieties. This discovery transformed agricultural economics in Israel, promoting the export of the vegetables seeds and the move to high-tech farming. 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.

FlowersIsrael produces vast quantities of flowers for export. The flowers grown most commonly are Chamelaucium (waxflower), followed by roses. 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. Agricultural technologyIsrael is a world leader in agricultural research and development which have 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.