Page 34 - Social Science.docx

Principles of social science
consequently much less fertilizer on the crop. This contributes to reducing groundwater contamination, as less fertilizers and pesticides are being used. Another impressive fact is that with the use of these trays when it rains, they can amplify 1 mm of rain so that it equals 27 mm. Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture has performed field tests that indicate massive water savings of up to 50 percent of irrigated water by using the Tal-Ya system. This innovative product is now being sold to Israeli farmers, but the company is aiming to expand to international buyers.
Lessons learned through research and generational efforts and work can be shared to help with world problems in these areas. Nowadays Israel not only exports agricultural produce to other countries, but also technologies to help them with their agricultural challenges and that can help them deal with the water scarcity that exists in many of them. Tal explains that in Israel “the 85% local food production is an impressive achievement, when considering the enormous quantities produced for export.”12 Nowadays, Israeli tables feature fresh produce cultivated locally, which abounds enough to make the country self-sufficient in regards to its food security. As Tal notes, “this accomplishment has even greater meaning given the land and climatic conditions in which much food production takes place.”13 According to Tal, Israeli agriculture is also making vital international contributions by trying to prevent famine in drylands. They have developed resilient well systems for African villages and biological digesters that can halve the water usage of most homes. Also, salt and drought resistant strains of fruit and vegetables are the center of some of Israel’s strides in agricultural innovation. Another very important achievement has to do with Israel’s efforts in breaking barriers in regards to water scarcity and their sharing of
12 Tal, "Rethinking the sustainability of Israel's Irrigation Practices in the Drylands,” p. 252. 13 Ibid., p. 252.
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