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The potential for sustainable rainfed farming in Palestine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Jad Isaac  and
Stephen Gasteyer
Jad Isaac
Affiliation:
Director, Technical Advisor, Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem, PO Box 860, Bethlehem, West Bank via Israel.
Stephen Gasteyer
Affiliation:
Technical Advisor, Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem, PO Box 860, Bethlehem, West Bank via Israel.
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Abstract

The most important source of increased crop yield in the Middle East has probably been the increase in irrigated area although it has been accompanied by other inputs such as chemical fertilizers, improved varieties, mechanization, and pesticides. Palestine, which in this paper encompasses West Bank and Gaza, has had a similar emphasis on irrigation although only 5% of West Bank agricultural land is irrigated. However, the possibility of further expanding or even maintaining present water use for fostering agricultural growth in this dry region is diminishing. There now is a growing understanding that future sustainable agriculture in the Middle East may depend on shifting emphasis to rainfed farming; in the past, this was not considered possible because of its perceived low productive potential. Recent research, however, has evaluated the status of rainfed farming in Palestine and targeted areas that need improvement. Experiments and demonstrations have shown the potential to vastly improve rainfed farming's production, economic return and status. Following up on these initial steps should be an important priority in maintaining food production in this region.

Keywords

agricultural policyagricultural marketingdry farmingintegrated systemsland useon-farm researchsustainable agriculturewater availabilitywater use
Type
Selected International Papers from the U.S.-Middle East Conference on Sustainable Dryland Agriculture
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , September 1997 , pp. 110 - 119
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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