There was something interesting for this new farmer about visiting a country suffering from chronic scarcity of water, constant droughts and intense heat over sandy to clayish soil—and yet, is still able to produce export-quality vegetables and fruits.
I discovered it on a first visit to Israel as a tourist and became immediately glad to return and learn more. Israel debunks the notion that unfavorable land and weather conditions are deterrents to growing quality crops. The little nation is considered a world leader in agricultural technologies, despite being in a geography that is not conducive to farming.
Israel defied the odds, and continues to move forward and utilize what little it has.
Desert farming, moshav living
My return was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arranged by the ambassador of Israel to the Philippines, Effie Ben Matityau. I had met with him and expressed a desire to learn more about how his country develops and continues to progress in the agricultural sector.
The program materialized through his contacts, and I was on a plane to Israel eager to know and see what could be applied to my own farm in Nueva Ecija.
The objectives were clear. Pick up as much schools of thought, observe best practices, understand the technology, and see how to apply the farming methods developed through years of experience.
After a 16-hour flight, passing through Istanbul from Manila on Turkish Airlines’ comfortable flight, I landed in Tel Aviv excited. The destination was 225 kilometers north of Israel, and after three hours through mountainous desert land, I reached Ein Yahav.
It is one of 450 moshavs in Israel, a rural settlement made up of 150 families that registered as an agricultural cooperative on the Arava desert. To regulate and organize the community, each family receives 4 dunams or 40,000 square meters on which to build their home and 50 dunams or 5 hectares to cultivate various crops.
Israelis, Thais, Bedouins
Agriculture is a way of life in a moshav. At first, the concept of farming your own land without hiring outside help was encouraged, but as the farms grew, the need for outsourced labor increased. Today, it is populated by 1,000 Israelis who work on the farm, while 700 Thais and 300 Bedouins are employed in either the packing house or out in the field.
Even with the language barrier, everyone who works in the moshav shares a mind-set to achieve high production of crops and effectivity of the workload.
I was hosted by Eldad Krouk, owner of the biggest moshav in Ein Yahav, who manages roughly around 100 hectares of arable land. It was unusual for him to have someone from the other side of the world come in and learn during one of the busiest times of the season, yet he welcomed me warmly.
He made time to share his knowledge and insights on agriculture. His industry network and connections helped expand my grasp of how things are done in Israel.
The crops in Ein Yahav consist of numerous varieties of sweet peppers, dates, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, watermelons, zucchini, cabbages, among other greens.
All are cultivated in greenhouses, tunnels or nethouses, depending on the environment each crop needs. The produce goes to Europe and Russia and the local market. Quantity allocation depends mainly on the prices of these markets.
Work week is different in Israel. Because of the Jewish practice of honoring and keeping holy the Shabbat on a Saturday, establishments are closed. By law, no one is allowed to work. The week starts on a Sunday, and ends on Thursday. There is only Saturday to rest for farmers, who need to give their crops full attention all the time.
Sea of Galilee
All of Israel’s source of water is the Sea of Galilee, coastal aquifers and mountain aquifers. Irrigation comes from existing potable water sources such as lakes or streams, marginal water like saline water and treated water effluent, rainfall and desalinated water.
Israel is considered a global leader in the reuse of treated wastewater—40 percent of which is for agricultural use. This gives farmers enough time to plan ahead for the following season and not be limited by unpredictable water supply.
Israel was also responsible for creating drip irrigation, a simple yet revolutionary way to irrigate crops used all over the world. Valves, pipes, tubing and emitters carry nutrients directly to the roots and minimize evaporation. It allows farmers to save on water costs and be efficient in distributing this resource.
Best part
The best part is they can control this through their phones and computers. Since water is the most important nutrient a crop needs, farmers have developed a system that activates and monitors every single drop all over the fields.
Because everything is measured, farmers have time to focus on other things like marketing and sales. Irrigation monitoring is just a mobile-phone touch away. If something goes wrong, an SMS will be sent to notify farmers immediately.
Customized nurseries
Top quality is the standard for Israelis. Instead of buying seeds and directly sowing these in the ground, farmers procure seedlings from nurseries located throughout the country. These nurseries ensure that growers receive the healthiest and strongest seedlings.
Everything is ordered from nurseries. Crops like peppers, melons, cucumber, tomatoes are all grown in greenhouses, which are customized to the particular crop’s climate requirements. Growers receive truckloads of seedlings ready for transplant weeks after they have placed an order.
One of the keys to success is the Jewish people’s innovativeness. They are one step ahead of everyone else. Constant search for growth brings new ideas and different ways of doing things.
Their regional research center for agriculture in Hazeva, also located on the Arava desert, is a good example. Farmers are given quantitative and qualitative data on new varieties, ways of planting, fertilizing and irrigating.
Providing farmers information on the latest technologies not only optimizes the possibilities, it also benefits the agriculture industry across Israel. The farmers have to apply the most effective approach to boost yield, trying several varieties, providing suitable environment for each crop, and proper pest management practices that ultimately minimize cost and maximize profit.
Promised Land, too
What impressed me most is the collective efforts to support the growth of agriculture. While weather is the only thing that cannot be controlled completely, provisions are made to create manageable conditions. Water is provided by the government, and high-tech systems are implemented.
Agriculture stores are set up in each moshav or kibbutz. Manual labor is outsourced and research is always ongoing.
It is inspiring to see how farming is a productive and beneficial part of life in Israel.
Seeing how, even with its hot and arid conditions, Israel successfully produces food for its people and for the world, I dream of the Philippines as a progressive agricultural country. I believe we can learn from Israel and replicate its success.
More than just providing food, the Israeli system is about a community that helps one another, uplifting each other through opportunities in farming.
The experience in Israel enlarged my perspective of how agriculture can truly work if everyone works together. The concerted efforts not only promote food security, but ultimately boost the economy as well.
It may take time for the Philippines to reach Israel’s status, but farming is about hope and patience, and we can never have an overabundance of these.