Drought Threatens Apple Orchards

"As a farmer, I can't stand in the field and watch the sad sight of uprooting. There is nothing more painful," the farmer, a member of Kibbutz Merom Golan, told Globes.

 

Israel's apple orchards cover approximately 10,500 acres, producing 16-20 tons per acre. However, growing apples requires a high use of water, and many farmers are switching to less thirsty crops. One crop becoming more popular is pomegranates, and several organic orchards were planted two years ago, before the Shemittah year during which planting is forbidden by Jewish law. The Sabbatical year ended as the New Year was ushered in on Tuesday night.

 

Israel has approximately 1,375 acres of pomegranate orchards producing 18,000 tons of fruit this year.