Israel has doubled its area under cultivation in the last five years, Dr. Peretz Naphtali, Acting Minister of Agriculture, told Parliament today as he opened a debate on the government’s plan for agriculture.
He also reported that livestock had doubled in that period and that 92 percent of the nation’s farmers had achieved a good standard of living. Nonetheless, he said, agricultural self-sufficiency is not near. He said agricultural credit is tight, despite the high priority given to agriculture in the government’s planning. He said that this sector of the economy could play an even more important role in achieving economic independence for Israel if it could produce more for export.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
