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Israel has the most advanced desert agriculture in the world; many
Israeli technologies and methodologies are transferable and
are already aiding other regions. Israeli Arab agriculture
experts have worked in Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab
countries.
Armenian drip irrigation
In October 2003, Dick Funt, an Ohio State University horticulturist and
small fruit expert on assignment to USDA's
Marketing Assistance Program (MAP) in Armenia, contacted
us about whether the Initiative might be able to assist his
efforts to introduce drip irrigation. His role is to help Armenian
farms, communities and businesses involved in fruit production.
We contacted the chief scientist of Israel’s Ramat Negev research
station and the Agriculture Ministry’s Volcani Institute, and
the Ministry’s
chief advisor for irrigation technology. Although interested,
neither we, nor the Israeli Agriculture Ministry, nor USDA nor the Armenians
could fund the advisor’s trip. Given the funding realities, we
contacted Netafim, an Israeli
drip irrigation manufacturer. Netafim provided one of their
irrigation experts at their expense. Dick Funt was able to provide room,
meals, transportation and an interpreter. Over 110 Armenians attended
the December 2003 Drip Irrigation Conference, which was sponsored by
Kotayk ASC, USDA/MAP, Armenian Ministry of Agriculture and Netafim.
Netafim’s agronomist
made three presentations on the applied science and engineering
of drip irrigation for fruit crops. Growers were supportive of local
demonstration and research plots where new trees are planted. The Armenian
contingent has ordered trees for 2005, but the demonstration irrigation
plot awaits funding. This is one of many steps toward increasing income
in the rural areas and reducing rural poverty in Armenia. We have had
discussions with the Israel Agriculture Ministry, USDA, OSU and Netafim
about developing a long-term joint project.
Rebuilding Iraqi agriculture
Israeli agriculture experts working indirectly through the Ohio State
University are seeking to subcontract USAID Agriculture Reconstruction
and Development contracts for Iraq. The Israeli Embassy agriculture
attaché met with a USAID contractor to discuss possible Israeli
equipment sales, and Arab-Israeli participation.
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