KKL-JNF: Sustainable Agriculture for Food Security - January 2017
One of the many definitions of the complex and evolving concept of sustainable
agriculture was posited in the 1970s by Lady Eve Balfour in Towards a Sustainable
Agriculture—The Living Soil: "The criteria for a sustainable agriculture can be
summed up in one word - permanence, which means adopting techniques that
maintain soil fertility indefinitely."
In the search for ensuring food security for Israel and the world, KKL-JNF supports new
directions in research.
Already in 1901, KKL-JNF supported soil and plant research in pre-state Israel, which
eventually grew into what is today a network of regional agricultural R&D stations in the
country's periphery. Working with local farmers and academic and scientific institutions both
in Israel and abroad, the cutting-edge technologies developed at these stations keep Israeli
farmers at the forefront of their field, providing them with innovative, cost-efficient ways
to grow produce under arid conditions and allowing them to compete in the global
market. Their breakthroughs include irrigating crops with recycled and brackish water;
developing biological methods as alternatives to chemical pesticides; and developing
improved strains of vegetables, flowers and dates, among others. Dairy farms in the Negev
are also part of the agricultural projects that KKL-JNF makes possible.
KKL-JNF extends its knowledge in agricultural to countries throughout the world, particularly
those semi-arid and arid. The expertise and training that KKL-JNF professionals provide are
invaluable to ensuring food security for the people in developing countries. Agronomists and
farmers from underdeveloped countries study on-site at KKL-JNF's R&D stations and in
programs such as those provided by the Arava International Center for Agricultural
Training (AICAT) at Sapir and the Arava Research and Development Center.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, KKL-JNF has been a major player in promoting
Israel's agriculture, preparing land, particularly that of the expanses of the Negev and the
Arava, ensuring its arability and constructing reclaimed wastewater reservoirs for irrigating
fields and orchards throughout the year.
Israel's population has grown more than twelve-fold since the establishment of the state,
and by the year 2020 it is expected to be the most densely developed country in the OECD.
Coupled with dwindling resources and climate change, this presents an increasing challenge
to the agronomists and famers of Israel in ensuring enough quality produce to feed the
country's people, a challenge that KKL-JNF is helping take on.
Be a Partner in projects that deserve support to ensure the viability of
KKL-JNF's modern agriculture for a sustainable future:
Hatseva – Preparing Land For Agriculture – 2015 #12291
En Yahav – Preparing Land For Agriculture – 2015 #12289
Arandal Farm – Access Road And Fencing #12446
Tsofar – Preparing Land For Agriculture – 2014 #12288
Arava – Samar – Preparing Land 2014 #12270
Hula Valley – Feed The Cranes #7604
Central & Northern Arava R&D Station – Research #5365
Southern Arava R&D Station – Research #7380
Northern Research And Development Station #7926
Ramat Negev Research And Development Station #7929
Besor R&D Station – Research #7014
Central and Northern Arava R&D Station — New Research in Fruit and Vegetable
Cultivation #14277
Links to more information:
KKL-JNF Transforms the Arava with the Help of Friends Worldwide
The Southern Arava – Renewable Energy and Food Security
"Food Security" on the official KKL-JNF site
KKL-JNF Research: Finding Solutions to Challenges for People, the Environment, Israel and
the World
Innovative Agriculture and Eco-Agritourism
Addressing Israel's Water Shortage through Recycling, Harvesting & Restoring
"Agriculture" on the official KKL-JNF site
International Cooperation
"Research and Development" on the official KKL-JNF site
"International Cooperation" on the official KKL-JNF site
KKL-JNF Agricultural R&D: Disinfestation of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly - Sustainable
Agriculture