The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is resisting a plan by the Finance Ministry to cut 105 positions from its Training and Professional Service division and privatize it as part of the 2025 budget. This division consolidates research and provides courses for farmers in areas such as field crops, citrus, fish technology, and farm economics. These cuts aim to save 85 million shekels over three years but come amid broader staff reductions, including 145 positions already eliminated under the 2024 budget. The Agriculture Ministry warns that the cumulative 20% reduction in personnel could jeopardize the long-term sustainability of farming, potentially leading to food shortages in the coming years.
The government’s decision, part of the Economic Arrangements Bill accompanying the 2025 budget, will be voted on in late October. This strategy contrasts with the Tekuma Administration’s efforts to support farming near the Gaza border. Tekuma, established to aid in rebuilding border communities, recently highlighted the importance of agriculture in regional recovery efforts. Yet, the country’s growing deficit, worsened by ongoing military conflicts, is driving the Finance Ministry’s focus on budget cuts.
Israel’s need for food independence has become increasingly apparent, especially after disruptions such as Turkey halting tomato exports normally a significant portion of Israel’s 200,000-ton annual consumption and attacks by Houthis in Yemen impacting port operations in Eilat. Israeli agriculture has faced challenges for years due to policies favoring produce imports, leaving farmers unable to compete effectively.
The urgency for a food security strategy was reflected earlier this year when the Agriculture Ministry added “Food Security” to its official title. The ministry has begun developing a 25-year National Food Security Plan through interministerial cooperation. However, the lack of financial autonomy limits the efforts of Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, who is praised for engaging directly with farmers but lacks control over budget allocations.
The decline of Israeli agriculture, once a symbol of national pride, is stark. A recent report by HaShomer HaChadash outlines the severity of the situation. While the country produces most of its fruits and vegetables domestically, it remains heavily reliant on imports for essential staples like grains, sugar, and fish. Around 80% of the calories consumed by Israelis are dependent on imports, with 96% of wheat and grain needs met through international suppliers.
Over the past three decades, the number of farm owners has decreased from 45,000 to 13,000, with the majority now in their 50s and 60s. Only 0.9% of Israelis are employed in agriculture today, a sharp decline from 4% in 1990. Furthermore, agriculture accounts for just 0.2% of the national budget, a figure well below the average for OECD countries. Government support primarily comes from tariffs on certain imports and modest subsidies for insurance and research, which are now under threat due to the proposed cuts.
The HaShomer HaChadash report provides a range of recommendations to strengthen Israel’s food security. These include establishing a dedicated government authority for food security, increasing agricultural funding, and incentivizing local research efforts. The report suggests expanding state-backed insurance programs to encourage farmers to experiment with new methods and crops. It also highlights the need to increase water allocations for agriculture, particularly for fruits and vegetables, to keep pace with population growth and adapt to rising temperatures.
Expanding farmland is another critical recommendation. According to a 2021 Agriculture Ministry paper, achieving food security would require 1.4 million additional acres of farmland by 2050, given Israel’s projected population growth to 16 million. This goal would necessitate adding 15,000 acres of farmland annually. The HaShomer HaChadash report calculates that the land required is available, with 1.6 million acres yet to be designated for agriculture, development, or conservation.
HaShomer HaChadash, founded in 2007, has evolved into a multifaceted organization supporting Israeli agriculture. Initially established to provide security for farms, it now offers educational programs, youth movements, and pre-army and national service opportunities. The organization has deployed over 300,000 volunteers to assist farmers, particularly after foreign laborers returned to their home countries following the recent escalation in conflict with Hamas. It has also launched initiatives to support young farmers and promote agricultural technology.
The organization aims to function as a catalyst for broader governmental action. Its efforts to rebuild agricultural infrastructure are intended to lay the groundwork for more comprehensive state strategies in the future.
Despite these efforts, the Finance Ministry’s emphasis on food imports as a means of controlling prices has not yielded the expected results. HaShomer HaChadash and the Agriculture Ministry argue that this approach has contributed to the decline of local farming without significantly lowering consumer costs. The concentration of the food supply chain in the hands of a few large wholesalers has further exacerbated the issue, limiting the effectiveness of increased imports in fostering genuine market competition.
HaShomer HaChadash emphasizes that food security is not only a necessity for Israel’s survival but also an opportunity to strengthen regional relations. By developing sustainable agricultural and water management solutions, Israel could position itself as a leader in addressing food security challenges across the region. The organization views agriculture as an existential need, arguing that reducing reliance on imports from countries like Turkey, Jordan, and Ukraine is essential for long-term stability.
The proposed budget cuts threaten to undermine these efforts at a time when the need for food independence is becoming increasingly critical. With the country facing economic and security challenges on multiple fronts, the debate over the future of Israeli agriculture underscores the importance of balancing immediate fiscal concerns with long-term strategic planning.
