Israeli farmers call for reduced imports and stronger local support after war

At the first national Fruit Growers Association conference since the Iron Swords War, Israeli agricultural leaders urged the government to cut back on imports and strengthen local farming. They said that relying too heavily on foreign produce threatens Israel’s food security — especially after months of conflict that hit farming communities hard.

Yaron Belhassan, CEO of the Israel Fruit Growers Organization, said the country must rethink its import policy now that the war has ended. He argued that excessive imports damage local agriculture and border settlements, where farmers continued to work and harvest under fire.

Young farmer Mor Bayda, from the Gaza-bordering community of Netiv HaAsara, said many farmers in his area have not returned since the war. “We’ve survived many crises, but this one was the final straw,” he said.

Speakers at the conference, including Gil Lin of the Megiddo Regional Council and Amit Yifrah of the Moshavim Movement, stressed that farming is more than an economic activity — it’s part of Israel’s national strength and security. They called for real government investment, not just promises, to help rebuild farms, reduce production costs, and attract young people to agriculture.

The event also highlighted innovation in the sector, including heatwave protection systems and AI applications in farming. Several farmers and researchers were honoured for their contributions to the industry, which produces about 700,000 tons of fruit annually and represents nearly a quarter of Israel’s agricultural output.

source: jpost.com

photo: touristisrael.com