}

HortiNews

Crops at Risk: How Climate Change Affects Our Favorite Flavors

Shahar Dayan
By Shahar Dayan on 11 October 2024

As the effects of climate change continue to unfold, they pose a significant threat to global agriculture. Crops we rely on every day, those that nourish us and fuel our economies, are becoming increasingly vulnerable. From coffee beans that jump-start our mornings to rice that sustains billions of people worldwide, climate change is transforming how and where these staple crops are grown. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and shifting ecosystems are forcing us to rethink traditional farming practices.

Breaking Barriers in Precision Irrigation Adoption

Danny Ariel
By Danny Ariel on 29 August 2024

Drip irrigation, celebrated for its precision and efficiency, is a game-changer for sustainable agriculture. It conserves water, cuts down on fertilizer use, and boosts crop yields, addressing some of the most pressing agricultural challenges. Yet, despite these advantages, it’s been adopted on only 4-5% of irrigated land globally. Why hasn’t this groundbreaking technology been embraced more widely?

Harvesting Progress: How Technology is Reviving Farming in Turkey

Pinar Parmaksiz
By Pinar Parmaksiz on 23 August 2024

Agriculture is deeply rooted in Turkey’s culture and economy. From fertile plains that yield grains like wheat and barley, to diverse regions that cultivate cotton, sugar beet, sunflower, and a rich variety of fruit such as apples, cherries, and citrus, Turkey's landscape is as varied as the crops it produces. Yet, this rich agricultural tradition faces a pressing challenge. Over the past 18 years, while the country’s population has grown by 23%, the number of farmers has sharply declined by 21%. Of the 2.17 million existing farmers, only 289,000 are women and the average farmer age is 58.1 years. This demographic shift poses a potential threat to the continuity and innovation in farming practices crucial for the sector’s vitality and sustainability.

How Better Life Farming is Uplifting Smallholders

Dubi Raz
By Dubi Raz on 20 August 2024

There is nothing small about smallholder farming, neither in its numbers nor in the opportunity it presents. The 500 million smallholders across the planet produce a third of the world’s food. However, despite their significant contributions, most of these farmers struggle with limited access to essential resources like seeds, crop protection, and fertilizers, as well as agricultural expertise.

Crop Advisor: Your Solution to Irrigation Uncertainty

Ofer Halperin
By Ofer Halperin on 24 June 2024

Flooding in Brazil and Texas, a brutal heat wave throughout the Philippines, record temperature in Africa and India, and that’s just in the past month! Extreme weather has devastating effects around the world, and guess who usually gets hit the hardest?  Farmers! Here's where Crop Advisor comes in, a real-time irrigation decision-support system and an indispensable part of GrowSphere™.

Netafim's Gabiro Project: Transforming Agriculture in Africa

Michael Bruderli
By Michael Bruderli on 06 May 2024

Our recent project in Rwanda, the Gabiro Project, is a shining example of what can be achieved when diverse stakeholders come together with a shared vision – to transform lives and landscapes through sustainable agriculture. Michael Bruderli, Head of Business Development at Netafim and the Gabiro Project manager, delves into the journey of Gabiro, from inception to its remarkable impact on the local community and beyond.

The Revolutionary Transformation of Paddy through Drip Irrigation

Yiğit Kocabıyık
By Yiğit Kocabıyık on 17 January 2024

Rice, one of the most important food sources for humanity, holds significant importance in cultivation areas worldwide. Rice production and agricultural yield play a crucial role in both Türkiye and the global agricultural landscape.

Factories, CO2, and the Greenhouse Connection

Posted on 03 January 2024

While there's abundant information about greenhouse gases, it's a common misconception to associate greenhouses with high greenhouse gas emissions. In reality, greenhouses enriched with carbon dioxide (CO2) enable plants to photosynthesize more effectively¹.

Ensure Food Security while optimizing OPEX and CAPEX

Zohar Ziv
By Zohar Ziv on 05 October 2023

Sustainable agriculture's future lies at the intersection of food security and financial efficiency, driven by commercial greenhouse innovation. We believe that local, sustainable food production using as few resources as possible is the path to achieve it.

Nurseries: Nurturing Plants for Optimal Growth and Development

Austin Juma
By Austin Juma on 04 September 2023

A nursery is a meticulously crafted environment where young plants are cultivated and nurtured until they reach maturity for transplanting into farms or sale. Ever wondered about the significance of nursery design and its role in agriculture? Let's look at this crucial aspect of the agricultural landscape.

Building Resilience: Overcoming El Niño Uncertainty

Roei Yonai
By Roei Yonai on 25 July 2023

In the past couple of months, our site in Bangkok has experienced a notable influx of visitors and a substantial increase in inquiries regarding precision irrigation solutions. Changing weather patterns are on everyone’s agenda as reports released by the World Meteorological Organization in March 2023, assert that the rare, three year in a row La Niña is officially over, and another cycle of El Niño is heading our way.

Sustainable Food Production in a Smart City

Ricky Elz
By Ricky Elz on 13 July 2023

The global population crosses 7.7 billion, increasing pressure on food, water, and energy resources. Most people are living in urban areas, and this poses several challenges; food security will be a severe issue for the future of citizens.

Is Soil Salinity a Threat to Our Food Security?

Dr. Itamar Nadav
By Dr. Itamar Nadav on 27 April 2023

Soil is a vital resource for feeding the burgeoning global population which is expected to reach over 9.8 billion people by 2050. The presence of excess salts in the soil make it saline, and pose a significant threat to farm productivity, environmental health and financial welfare. Based on the FAO/UNESCO soil map of the world, the total area of saline soils is 397 million hectares (Mha) which is approximately 3.1% of the world’s land area (FAO, 2005). Moreover, future projections of climate change and human population growth suggest that the extent of saline soils will grow accordingly.

Sustainable Agriculture: Embracing Local for Global Impact

Austin Juma
By Austin Juma on 23 March 2023

Industrialized farming has allowed us to achieve large-scale food production at low costs, distributing it efficiently across the globe. However, this approach is proving unsustainable in the face of climate change, transportation challenges, and a growing population. Agricultural practices account for a significant 70% of global freshwater withdrawals and contribute to land and soil degradation) . The emerging trend of growing food locally offers a solution to these challenges by shortening supply chains, reducing transportation costs, and minimizing carbon footprints.