Israel is an exemplary country in many ways, especially regarding the application of technological developments to advance production. This, for example, is something that they have done in agriculture, a thriving industry in a nation that is in the middle of the desert. How did they accomplish this miracle? With one key element: intelligent water management.
Raphael Singer, Israel's ambassador to Peru, said that his country's history with water was very particular because 70% of their territory is desert lands. In addition, the tributaries that surround it are not very helpful: "We have the Sea of Galilee, which is not a sea; and the Dead Sea which is more like a lake at the lowest point in the world," he said.
The revolution regarding the use of water, began before Israel's independence, he said. In the 1930s the country's leaders began to develop water management and agriculture programs.
"In the 50's we began building tunnels from northern Israel to harness water for our people and to irrigate the desert that is now a production zone," he said.
Then technological progress played its part: today, Israel recycles 85% of its waste water through special plants that allow it to develop agriculture, especially in the southern part of the country. The country has the highest water recycling index in the world.
The wastewater is collected through large tubes, then the solids are removed from the waters, and microorganisms that consume organic material and purify the water are added to it.
"We collect the effluents and purify them in the ground. This technology is very special and was developed in Israel. At the end of the year we purify this water so it can be used on all types of crops," he said.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without investing in research and development; Israel invests 8% of its GDP in this areas each year. This allows Israel to meets its internal needs but also to export more than 2 million dollars a year in water technology.
"Israel's experience of saving and producing water can be shared in many regions of the world," said Singer, probably thinking about Peru and its large water resources that require intelligent management.
Source: agraria.pe