Cutting Down on Water Supply for Agriculture in 2000-2005 has not Damaged Agricultural Production

Recently published official data of the Ministry of Agriculture show that cutting down on water supply for agriculture in the years 2000-2005 has not damaged main agricultural production. While the field crops sector, which has been exposed to a 75% decrease in fresh water, did show a significant decrease in production, several other main crops have actually shown an increase in production. The Ministry of Agriculture has pointed out that the influence of the cut down was profound in agricultural areas that rely solely on provision of fresh water from the national system, and marginal in areas that rely on self provision or on reclaimed water.

Among the factors that helped moderate the influence of the cut down was the success of farmers to change from high water consumption crops to water saving crops and to make irrigation systems more efficient. The ministry also points out that the cut of fresh water supply, which began in 1999, follows suit with the general trend to gradually decrease fresh water supply for agriculture in Israel.