The purpose of the visit is to learn from Israel how to maintain and establish extensive agriculture in extreme weather conditions.
French agricultural experts are on an official visit to Israel to study the efficient use of water in agriculture, in light of the imposition of severe restrictions on the use of water in Corsica Island due to the drought.
A delegation of representatives from the field of agriculture, from the island of Corsica, arrived in Israel. The delegation is headed by senior officials from the local ministries of agriculture and water, as well as representatives from the various branches of agriculture in the country, including wine, milk and citrus fruits.
The purpose of the visit is to learn from Israel how to maintain and establish extensive agriculture in extreme weather conditions, how to make intelligent and efficient use of water and how to apply methods for precision agriculture. The visit is part of the initiative of the Israel-France Foundation, the FFI, and the Embassy of Israel in Paris in collaboration with the Ministry’s Center for International Trade and Cooperation and the Agricultural Research Administration.
During the visit, educational tours will be conducted, the purpose of which is to transfer the extensive professional knowledge that exists in Israel in everything related to agriculture, in the shadow of the effects of the climate crisis. In addition, the Corsicans will meet with leading Israeli agro-tech companies in this field. In this way, the visit constitutes an invitation to create international collaborations, both at the commercial and research levels.
This visit is especially essential at this time, when an extreme heat wave has been smiting the Island of Corsica for the past three months, which led to an unexpected water shortage and across-the-board restrictions on water use as a result. The Corsican Chamber of Agriculture called on farmers to join the professional tour, and in doing so they hope to implement a lateral policy of precision agriculture and the correct use of water, which will help solve the current crisis.
Yakov Poleg, Senior Deputy Director General for Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that “This visit is aimed at strengthening the relationship with Corsica and with France, and we hope that it will lead to further collaborations. Despite all this, the purpose of the visit should not be ignored, which stems from the devastating effects the climate crisis has on our world. The Israeli Ministry of Agriculture will continue to assist as much as possible at the global level, with regards to proper growing of food in arduous climatic conditions and adaptation to this challenging reality.”
