On Monday February 22, the Italian Minister of Environment Dr. Gian Luca Galletti visited the Ramat Negev Research and Development Station, located in the Negev desert south of Beersheba. Dr. Galletti was accompanied by Italian diplomats and KKL-JNF representatives. “Italy is examining Israeli technology and methodology in the fields of water management and low cost renewable energy production", said the environmental minister.
The Italian Minister of Environment Dr. Gian Luca Galletti arrived at the Ramat Negev Research and Development Station, located in the desert south of Beer Sheva, during an unusually heavy downpour. Galletti was accompanied by a small delegation from his ministry in Rome, and Italian Ambassador to Israel Francesco Maria Talo. They were welcomed at the facility by KKL-JNF Director of International Relations and Conferences Karin Bolton Laor. She advised him not to be misled by the rainfall, and explained the role of the R&D station in that dry, arid region. “I invite you to see and taste the herbs and vegetables that are produced here, to understand the scope of the agricultural miracle that is taking place.”
The Manger of the Ramat Negev R&D Station Tzion Shemer said that the purpose of the center is to develop agricultural products that thrive in dry climates and and to share know-how with farmers who work in desert conditions. “We also provide guides to help youngsters with absolutely no farming experience to become successful farmers, because we are interested in settling the land, and developing the land. The success of the facility is the result of tight cooperation between the local regional council and KKL-JNF.” He invited the Italian guests to see a short film documenting the farmers in the area and their agricultural achievements.
KKL-JNF Director of the Southern Region Ami Uliel told the guests that it is particularly fitting during this visit to pay tribute to the person who established the first agricultural research and development station in the Negev - Yoel DeMalach, an Italian Jew who was born in Florence and immigrated to Israel in 1943. “DeMalach was aware that 60% of Israel is desert, and that the country will survive and prosper only if this land is developed. He knew that we must introduce agriculture that would be profitable and sustainable, and began experimenting with the use of brackish ground water to irrigate tomatoes. Today we know what a success that was. We are continuing his legacy”. Uliel invited the minister to taste the fresh tomatoes that were on display, and to take note of the impressive olive grove adjacent to the R&D station, which is irrigated only with bracken water.
The members of the Italian delegation were thrilled to visit a hothouse where they saw strawberries hanging in the air, growing as if they were grapes on vines. R&D facility Manager Tzion Shemer explained that “this innovation has many benefits, in that it isolates the fruit from insects and diseases that are on the ground, and thus dispenses of the need for pesticides. It is also much more comfortable for the farmer to work and harvest at shoulder height than on his knees.”
The Italian Minister of Environment said that he was most impressed with what he saw. “The aim of making land arable is important both morally and economically. I see that the right technology can help agriculture develop without harming the ecosystem. Italy has very advanced agriculture but at the same time we are interested in technology and expertise that saves water, saves energy and lowers the cost of production. I have no doubt that the sharing of technology between our two countries would be mutually advantageous”.
At the end of the visit, Bolton Laor said that she has reason to believe that the ministerial visit to the R&D station was prompted by the very popular Israeli pavilion at Expo Milano 2015, which showcased Israel’s agricultural and environmental developments. She said that the six months- long event, whose Israel pavilion was run and sponsored by the Israeli government and KKL-JNF, created a close working relationship between the Italian authorities and those of Israel.
Read this article in Italian