How has technology allowed israel to increase its food production?
AFII-ANIMA Agriculture accounts for 2.4 percent of Israel’s GDP. Its importance is declining largely because of ongoing negative growth. Thus, while GDP has grown by 3.2 percent since 1986, agricultural production decreased by almost 10 percent, employing 50,000 people. However, it continues to play an important role in certain poor areas of Israel like the Jordan Valley or Arava. Agricultural production rose in 2004 to $3.9 billion, 23 percent of which is exported. These figures vary from year to year depending on weather and monetary fluctuations. Israeli agricultural exports brought in $1 billion in 2005, 4 percent of total exports. Israel produces 70 percent of its food needs, counting on imports for sugar, coffee, cocoa and almost all its seeds, oilseeds, meat and fish. Israel is 100 percent dependent on imports for cereals. Fish and oilseeds are imported in large quantities to meet some 50 percent of consumption. Israeli is well known for its know-how in intensive agriculture. Th
