i24NEWS Host Explores Desert Farming Innovations in Negev
i24NEWS host Shani Guidalia has launched a new YouTube series, "Shani en immersion" (Shani Immersed), with its first episode focusing on agricultural innovation in Israel's Negev desert. The program highlights individuals dedicated to cultivating the land despite its harsh conditions, continuing a vision first articulated by David Ben-Gurion over 70 years ago.
The episode features interviews with farmers who have developed unique solutions for desert agriculture, including pesticide-free farming and methods to accelerate crop growth. The first stop was Shvil HaSalat, where farmer Uri Alon explained the process of desert cultivation from sowing to pollination, emphasizing environmentally friendly practices like the absence of pesticides.
Recognizing that relying solely on seasonal harvests can be challenging in the Negev, the program also showcases diversification strategies. Michal Milgrom, for instance, combines agriculture with tourism, operating a guesthouse built from local materials during off-seasons to ensure year-round economic activity.
Further north in southern Israel, Guidalia met with Ariel Porath, a nursery owner and agronomist who relocated from Gush Katif after the 2005 disengagement from Gaza. Porath has rebuilt his business, now focusing on providing young plants to farmers to expedite planting and ensure more uniform growth, saving them time and money.
Through these three encounters, the series demonstrates how Negev farmers blend expertise, adaptability, and innovation to thrive in a challenging environment where success is never guaranteed. The show aims to provide an in-depth look at the people working to sustain life and agriculture in the region.
