Flowers from Israel

Each year some 1.4 billion flowers are exported from Israel. Most go to Europe and some go to North America. Eli Matan, Director of the Besor Experimental Station in the western Negev, shows us the many flower varieties they are developing. At the same time, as they develop varieties, they are also involved in developing approaches to using water carefully and to recycling water. The top photo shows Eli Matan showing me his flowers.

As Eli explained to us, some 40% of the flowers presently exported are varieties which have been developed in the last 10-15 years. Success in this industry means intensive and ongoing research and development in order to continue to have markets.

We also toured several greenhouses where station personnel are improving ways of using greenhouses to grow tomatoes and eggplants. In one greenhouse, we were shown techniques which yield about 40 kg of tomatoes per square meter (I think I have this figure correct; it is a lot of produce!!). Middle photo shows the lush growth of tomatoes under Eli's care.

Roughly half the budget for this experimental agricultural station comes from JNF-KKL. It is impressive to see the land as it was (sand and cacti in places which are not irrigated), and after irrigation. In the distance, we can see the houses of Gaza - a reminder of where we are today in Israel.

The bottom photo shows cactus growing in sand desert adjacent to the experimental farm to show what this area was like before the farm.