Agriculture

An Italian farmer protesting soaring fuel prices brought his donkey to a demonstration in Foggia, presenting the animal as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to tractors.

Israeli agritech startup BloomX has raised $13 million in a Series A funding round led by Elah Fund. The company develops AI-driven robotic pollination systems for agriculture, increasing crop yields significantly.

A 2026 study by Prof. Eyal Kimhi highlights how a lack of intergenerational planning in family businesses harms long-term investments, operational growth, and strategic future decisions.

Israel's Water Authority warns of potential 14% cuts to agricultural quotas in 2027 due to historic lows in the Sea of Galilee and recent failures in combating desalination algae.

Ben Gurion Airport customs intercepted a doctor attempting to smuggle 300 prohibited banana and fern seedlings from Thailand, risking local agriculture.

A severe rodent infestation and stray dog crisis are threatening the Western Negev following three years of conflict. Local authorities are demanding a coordinated government response.

Israeli consumers face high prices and poor tomato quality due to extreme summer heat and greenhouse shading issues, with relief expected only with the winter harvest.

The Super El Nino climate phenomenon is triggering a severe global sugar shortage, pushing international food prices to three-year highs and threatening to stoke inflation in Israel.

Cocoa prices are climbing again as West African harvests decline, threatening the global chocolate market with renewed supply concerns and potential price adjustments.

Fresh Start, a Kiryat Shmona food-tech incubator backed by Tnuva, Tempo, and the Innovation Authority, returns to full operations in the north, managing 18 investments totaling $35 million.

A scathing new audit report reveals severe governance failures, conflicts of interest, and gatekeeper weaknesses at Knat, Israel's state-owned agricultural insurance monopoly.

Elitzur Avrahami manages a leading 100-dunam etrog farm in Israel, producing 100,000 flawless fruits annually with rigorous manual labor, yielding specimens weighing up to 4.1 kilograms.

Climate change threatens Israel's traditional Four Species, with agronomist Dr. Avishai Avni Meiah warning that the etrog is the most vulnerable and outlining adaptation strategies.

Dani and Shula from Vered Yicho reflect on decades of pioneering, overcoming bankruptcy, rebuilding their restaurant after a fire, and family life amid the war.

Al-Nassr winger Sadio Mane has laid the cornerstone for an 18-million-euro agro-industrial mango processing project in his home village of Bambali, Senegal.

Central Arava farmers are dispatching the final shipments of palm fronds for Sukkot Sukkah roofing ahead of the holiday, alongside the ongoing seasonal Medjool date harvest.

Tomato prices in Israel soar to nearly 19 shekels per kilogram in convenience stores while major supermarket chains offer holiday promotional discounts.

Discover five fascinating facts about the etrog, the majestic yellow citrus fruit used during Sukkot, exploring its mentions in Jewish texts, historical boycotts, and health benefits.

Israeli watermelon seeds face a sharp decline as young consumers prefer imported Chinese sunflower seeds, forcing northern farmers to dramatically cut cultivation.

Adama announced that CFO Efrat Nagar is stepping down after two decades with the company. Sami Leibowitz will succeed her, returning from Syngenta Group effective October 2026.

The Farm Association revealed a map showing agricultural outposts safeguarding over 1.1 million dunams of land. The release drew sharp criticism from anti-settlement groups.

The Minister of Agriculture is bringing a strategic plan until 2050 to the government for approval, but the Treasury warns of a "targeted assassination" of the agricultural reform, the burial of competition, and an immediate rise in prices. Dichter responds: "The Treasury's opposition is baseless."

The state will provide direct support to the dairy sector for the first time to lower prices for goat and sheep cheeses. The agreement between the Ministry of Finance and farmers includes 24 million NIS in annual subsidies.

Every year, up to 433 million cases of acute pesticide poisoning occur among agricultural workers worldwide. Researchers highlight the potential link between pesticide exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease.

The shutdown of desalination plants raises questions about Israeli readiness for extreme situations. Former Director General of the Ministry of Environmental Protection: "Pollution from Gaza is reaching us, we must deal with it." Despite the crisis, water supply to farmers in the south has been resumed. Satellite images show the murky water that led to the shutdown.

The shutdown of desalination plants raises questions about Israel's readiness for extreme situations. Former Director General of the Ministry of Environmental Protection Galit Cohen stated: "Pollution from Gaza is reaching us; we must take action." Despite the crisis, water supply to farmers in the south has been resumed. Satellite images confirm the murky water that caused the disruption.

K-Power CEO Katya Shur stated that integrating solar panels and energy storage systems into fish farming operations can rescue the industry from economic crisis by providing farmers with additional income.

While most students started the school year in the classroom, dozens of students from the "Mekor Chaim" yeshiva put on work clothes and began harvesting and weeding. The students participated in activities as part of the "Shorashim" program, which combines agricultural work with educational and values-based activities. Over the course of the year, more than a thousand students from dozens of...

The Israel Farmers Federation has urgently appealed to the Ministers of Finance, Agriculture, and Energy following disruptions in agricultural water supply. Hundreds of farms nearing harvest are at risk.

Following a severe drought and a dramatic cut of about 90 million cubic meters in national water allocations, the Water Authority Council unanimously approved an emergency measure to supply additional fresh water to farmers. The Director of the Water Authority stated: "A delicate balance that provides oxygen and a safety net for farmers at this time."

A serious incident occurred today near the Alon Road when terrorists introduced a lethal substance into livestock water troughs. During rescue attempts, residents encountered a planned ambush by dozens of rioters.

Corn and wheat prices have reached three-year highs due to distinct factors. Wheat is surging amid the escalation of the war between Russia and Ukraine, while corn is rising due to lowered US yield forecasts.

The global food supply is at risk due to the approaching super El Niño phenomenon. These are the main ways to invest in agricultural commodities and the financial traps that might surprise you.

Tens of thousands of migratory birds expected to arrive in the Hula Valley pose a real danger to winter crops. Now, the urgent solution being crafted in government ministries to prevent a heavy financial disaster for the region's farmers has been revealed.

The climate crisis is expected to make food more expensive in Israel as well, but Dr. Michal Levy believes the country can ensure food security. In a special interview, she explains why a change in habits and nutritional education is required.

Alongside the geopolitical confrontation between Washington and Tehran, a "pistachio war" is unfolding, complicated by the climate crisis. Water scarcity and extreme weather conditions are becoming critical risk factors for investors.

The "Adam Ve'Adama" network will open a new agricultural boarding school in the upcoming school year at Kibbutz Matzuva, near the Lebanese border. Students will combine studies for a matriculation certificate, preparation for the IDF, and work with local farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture has completed the process with authorities in Cambodia, and starting from the upcoming export season, Israeli farmers will be able to market citrus fruits there. The Citrus Growers Organization estimates the potential at approximately 10,000 tons per year.

During an operation by fighters of the Border Police (Magav) Central District near Moshav Yesodot, a vehicle was located containing 162 kg of avocados suspected to be stolen. The fighters identified a suspect who was near the vehicle and detained him, and a representative of the moshav who was summoned found that the avocados were of a variety grown in the agricultural fields of the settlement.

In samples of pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables, and spices across the country, it was found that most met the standard requirements, and in 41 crops, no deviations were found at all. 45.4% of the samples were found to be free of pesticide residues entirely.

In an area in western Binyamin, the Malet family lives alongside young people and volunteers, working together on grazing, agriculture, and guarding the farm. The place has become a tourist site, where a winery and a coffee cart operate. Adi Malet: "When you are in the field every day, you see the change happening before your eyes."

The Plant Council warns against the Hayward variety of kiwi that reached shelves too early, after being picked while unripe. The Council calls to wait until October, when the Israeli fruit is expected to reach proper ripeness. "A handful of growers is harming consumers and the entire industry."

Shaul Meridor, former head of the Budget Department and currently a candidate on the Yasar list, is showing great activity on the web. Between the lychee orchard in the Galilee and the toiletries department at the supermarket, he pulls out quite a few figures. Meridor is not always accurate, but at least he brings important economic issues to the discourse.

From artificial intelligence that helps students to a game that turns walking into a real estate empire: four Israeli apps offer new ways to learn, manage money, grow plants, and even get a good reason to leave the house.

The "El Niño" climate phenomenon is expected to reach its peak in December, but it is already causing severe droughts on three continents, damaging crops and threatening food supplies. The UN warns that tens of millions more could face severe hunger.

How many times have you received an answer from an AI chatbot that seemed perfectly professional? Most of us use these tools daily, but the story of a Chinese farmer illustrates why blind reliance on AI without verification can lead to disastrous economic consequences.

Police forces arrested two suspects last week, including an illegal resident, who loaded over a ton of watermelons into their vehicle from an agricultural field near Ein HaMifratz. A herd of about 300 sheep was also brought onto the site, causing heavy damage to the crops. Indictments were filed against the two this morning.

A direct-to-consumer retail model is gaining traction in Israel via WhatsApp purchasing groups. Consumers get fresh produce without retail markups, while farmers retain up to 40% of revenue previously lost to intermediaries.

Almost three years after the outbreak of the war, many farmers are still waiting for compensation. The ReGrow organization has raised 6.5 million dollars, is assisting 46 farms, and is promoting the planting of over 268,000 trees and vines in 21 settlements in the north.

The Yair research station in Hatzeva has developed a unique pepper variety resistant to extreme temperatures. This innovation aims to mitigate heat stress in greenhouses and ensure agricultural productivity amid the climate crisis.