Page 30 - Social Science.docx

Principles of social science
precision agriculture, dairy farming, next generation packaging, and seed breeding. Some of the other technologies that are being used include, drip irrigation but powered by solar panels, desalination of seawater, and the use of plastic irrigation trays to collect dew and funnel it to the plant.
Associate professor of Environmental Policy in the Mitrani Department of Dessert Ecology at Ben-Gurion University, in Israel, Tal, discusses how drip irrigation technologies in Israel have contributed to the 1600% increase in the value of produce grown by local farmers over the past sixty-five years. He also notes how Israel recycles 86% of its sewage which provides 50% of the country's irrigation water and how this is the second, unique component in Israel's strategy to overcome water scarcity and maintain agriculture in a dry land region. Tal mentions that "Israel's efforts to combat desertification are often considered a unique, but largely successful story."7 He acknowledges Israel's remarkable success in the agricultural arena, despite its water scarcity. In Israel it was critical to increase agricultural production without increasing the water demand and drip irrigation has been a crucial element in achieving this goal. Drip systems are able to deliver tiny amounts of water and fertilizer directly to the root zone of plants and trees in a steady flow, which helps produce “more crop for the drop.”8 This technology also presents to farmers with countless operational and environmental benefits. Drip irrigation can prevent disease because it decreases the contact of the water with stems, leaves and fruits; it also reduces weed growth by keeping field rows dry; due to computerized operations it decreases the labor required; and finally, drip irrigation can radically lessen the release of nutrients and chemicals below the root zone of
7 Ibid., p. 338. 8 Ibid., p. 338.
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