The most severe drought we’ve seen in years, combined with a critical water shortage and significant market price surges, is placing a heavy burden on local agriculture, causing it to shrink rapidly. Public health is at stake - and without immediate action, essential nutritional components may no longer be available in Israel.
A national food security plan has already been formulated. Now is the time to join forces, invest in research, and act collectively to safeguard Israel’s food future.
The Israeli agricultural sector is facing a challenge not seen in decades: an intense drought, an exceptionally hot summer, and a roughly 40% decrease in annual rainfall compared to the long-term average have led to a dramatic blow to crop yields. The data is alarming: Wheat and barley growers report yield losses of up to 60% in certain regions. A shortage of irrigation water has resulted in a 15% reduction in agricultural water allocations, leading to a 12% rise in fresh fruit and vegetable prices in just the last three months.
The implications of this crisis go far beyond farmers’ income. With the continuous rise in fresh food prices, growing numbers of Israelis are compelled to replace vital nutrients with cheaper, processed foods – resulting in higher rates of illness and diminished quality of life. As of today, approximately 1.5 million Israelis live in a state of food insecurity, with hundreds of thousands in severe condition.
Forecasts for the future are equally troubling. In the worst-case scenario, reliance on food imports could soar from around 40% today to approximately 60% by 2030. Key crops, such as apples, cotton, and rice may become unprofitable and eventually vanish from the local Israeli agricultural landscape.
What does the National Food Security Plan entail?
These outcomes threaten not only our economic independence but also the nutritional and health security of every Israeli citizen. With the population expected to reach 16 million by 2050, Israel faces a first-order national challenge: how to ensure a reliable, nutritious, and diverse food supply for everyone.
Fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope amid these growing threats: The National Food Security Plan, led by the Agriculture Ministry, outlines clear objectives such as strengthening domestic agriculture and increasing self-sufficiency. Agricultural research and development has long been, and remains, the beating heart and strategic mind of Israeli agriculture, and it is a pivotal element in achieving the plan’s success.
Through rigorous research, groundbreaking innovation, and productive international collaboration, we can overcome the profound challenges we face. Public engagement is also essential: Changes in consumption habits and support for local agriculture are vital to securing the food future of the Israeli public.
Israeli agriculture is in a fight for survival, and we must awaken before it’s too late. The spirit of innovation that once defined Israeli agriculture still burns strong, and with resolute action, we can cultivate a renewed and secure food future.
The writer is CEO of the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD).