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ISPA Account

Representative for Israel

David J Bonfil
Scientist
Agricultural Research Organization
Gilat Research Center
M.P. Negev, 0 8531100
Israel
Office phone : +97289928654
Yafit Cohen
Agricultural Research Organization


Israel
Office phone : +97239683596

Israel Articles

Precision Agriculture in Israel

Israel has a history of high tech agriculture innovation. Drip irrigation was invented in Israel in the 1970s. It is a hot spot for ag tech start-ups and PA research. But overall adoption of PA technology, except for soil moisture sensors for irrigation management, seems similar to that of Europe. Global Satellite System Navigation (GNSS) guidance is popular and a standard feature on newer & larger equipment. A few farmers are trying out variable rate input application. Use of plant and soil sensing, except soil moisture sensors, is rare. This note highlights some information gathered from researchers and extension staff in Israel with the help of ISPA member David Bonfil, of the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Gilat Research Center, Israel. To put the information below in context it is useful to know that Israel has about 200,000 ha of field and annual vegetable crops of which about 50% is wheat, and about 100,000 ha of orchards and vineyards. The current PA situation is: Overall, about 30% of farmers use GNSS autosteer and 10% use lightbars, but 75%-85% of large combines, tractors and sprayers use the technology. About 10% of existing sprayers and most new sprayers use GNSS boom control Yield mapping is used for grains, grapes ...more

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