Crisis in the Fields: Severe Drought Forces Drastic Reductions in Agricultural Production

 In a stark warning to the government, David Levy, CEO of the Field Workers' Organization, has called on Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter to urgently intervene as Israel’s agricultural sector faces a devastating crisis caused by a prolonged drought and a critical shortage of rainfall.

Levy emphasized that the ongoing water crisis is severely affecting crop yields across the country, leaving field growers with no choice but to make difficult decisions about water use and crop selection. The shortage, he warned, could jeopardize the nation’s food security and lead to significant economic losses in the agricultural sector.

Drought Reduces Grain Production by Over 99%

According to Levy, rainfall during the winter months was only about 50% of the seasonal average. This forced many farmers to drastically reduce their cultivation areas, particularly those growing crops used for livestock feed. As a result, the country is expected to harvest only 10,000 tons of food grains this year—less than a tenth of the typical one million tons produced in a normal year.

With irrigation now the primary source of water for many farmers, the intensive use of water in late 2024 and early 2025 has led to an anticipated shortage of more than 30% in the water balance for agricultural fields. This shortfall will likely cause a cascading impact on future crop cycles.

Expected Damage to Local Agricultural Production

The Field Workers' Organization outlined a grim forecast for the months ahead:

• Vegetables in the open field (potatoes, carrots, onions, lettuce, cabbage, leafy greens) are expected to see significant reductions in volume during the summer and fall seasons.

• Industrial crops (corn, tomatoes, beans, broccoli, cauliflower) will also face decreased output.

• Fodder and grain crops, most of which are not irrigated, have already suffered irreversible drought damage.

• Corn silage, which will be crucial to offset the winter fodder shortage, will require increased water consumption during the summer months.

• Seed crops (peanuts, sunflowers, chickpeas, cotton, watermelon) are expected to yield substantially lower volumes.

Urgent Policy Measures Requested

To prevent a full-scale agricultural collapse, Levy urged the Ministry of Agriculture to implement several emergency measures with immediate effect:

• Authorize additional water consumption beyond the current allocation—up to 30%—and cancel all exceptional water tariffs for agricultural water (fresh, brackish, mixed, and treated).

• Lift restrictions on water transfers and diversions, enabling full use of national water quotas without penalty.

• Instruct the Water Authority to reallocate all remaining freshwater balances to those who have already exceeded their quotas, ensuring continued production.

• Provide financial and logistical incentives for farmers to grow fodder crops during the spring and summer of 2025.

Levy emphasized that these actions are essential to preserve food production, support farmers through this crisis, and maintain the country’s food supply during an increasingly unpredictable climate era.