DESERT AGRICULTURE

3. Sodom Valley

4. About 700 families, 3200 people,
are living in the 7 Moshavim (communities) of the Arava
60% of the fresh vegetables (not including carrots and potato)
exported from Israel are from the Arava

5. Export value 250 million €

6. The distribution of agricultural crops - season 2011/12
600 ha – orchards
16%
80 ha – flowers
2%
3000 ha – vegetables
81%

7. Vegetable production (ha) – Central & Northern Arava 2011/12
60 %
C apsicum
Eggplant
C herry T om ato
T om ato
M iscellaneous
W aterm elon
H erbs
Zucchini
O nion
Spring M elon
W inter M elon
Fall M elon
1755
60
43
140
14
250
57
25
42
263
39
235

8. The Climate of the Arava
Syrian-African Rift, Desert climate
Long summer, high temperatures, average daytime
temperature of 400C
Dry winter, average daytime temperatures of 250C but
some cold winter nights with temperatures around 00C
Mostly clear days with no clouds and ample sunshine
Precipitation: 25-50 mm a year

9. The Soil of the Arava
Mainly floods, wind and rain have
created the local soil
Some of the cultivated land is on
sandy soil, other parts were
created by covering harsh land
with sand
The sand reserves of the area,
as those of Israel, are used up.

10. Water in the Arava Desert
* The Arava is not connected to the national water system of Israel

11. Water in the Arava Desert
* The Arava is not connected to the national water system of Israel
* Water supply is from local drillings
Aquifers
- 200
- 500
- 1,000
- 1,500

12. Water in the Arava Desert
* The Arava is not connected to the national water system of Israel
* Water supply is from local drillings
* As agricultural area, consumption of water is high and seasonal

13. Water in the Arava Desert
* The Arava is not connected to the national water system of Israel
* Water supply is from local drillings
* As agricultural area, consumption of water is high and seasonal
* Water quality is varying, from very brackish water to drinking water
2011 – 37,000,000 m3
Water consumption - 2001 - 28,500,000 m3

14. ‫איכו ת המי ם‬
EC 1900-2650
Water consumption - 2001 - 28,500,000 m3
EC 2650-3400
EC 3400-4100
‫מים קורוזיביים‬
3,108,900
953,200
3%
2,760,460
147,200
EC 4100-4800
11%
‫מים שפירים‬
10%
1%
52%
23%
14,859,046
6,615,700
Water consumption - 2011 - 37,000,000 m3
4%
3%
31%
52%

15. 50 years ago
Establishment of first community in the Arava Desert
Ein Yahav - 1959

16. Building a new home
1963

17. Research and Development R&D
Central and Northern Arava
1991 - Yair Research Station
named after Yair Goron
1988 - Zohar Research Station
named after Yehuda Zohar

18. Main Research Subjects:
Climate research in greenhouses
Flower studies, acclimatization and agro-technology
Plant protection
Organic Agriculture
Alternative ground cover
Produce quality and shelf life
Aquaculture
Orchards
Soil diseases and disinfection
Development & improvement of crops

19. Research and Development R&D
Central and Northern Arava
Flagship project: “CLEAN ARAVA”
Goal: elimination of quarantine pests
1. Sanitation Period
2. Treatment of quarantine
pests including the
“Zahav Project”
3. Reduction of use of
pesticides

20. Research and Development R&D
Central and Northern Arava