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Agriculture in the Area of the Dead Sea Has Been Practiced Since Ancient Times 1 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies Sustainable Agriculture in the Dead Sea Area: A Case Study of Agricultural Communities in Israel and Jordan Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of "Master of Arts” By: Vered Balan January, 2008 2 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies Sustainable Agriculture in the Dead Sea Area: A Case Study of Agricultural Communities in Israel and Jordan Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of "Master of Arts” By Vered Balan Under the Supervision of Prof. Alon Tal Department of Man in the Desert Author's Signature …………….……………………… Date ……………. Approved by the Supervisor…………….………………… Date ……………. Approved by the Director of the School …………… Date ……… I Abstract Sustainable Agriculture in the Dead Sea Area: A Case Study of Agricultural Communities in Israel and Jordan Vered Balan Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of "Master of Arts” Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies Agriculture in the area of the Dead Sea has been practiced since ancient times. The following research Sustainable Agriculture in the Dead Sea Area: A Case Study of Agricultural Communities in Israel and Jordan, examines the level of sustainability of current agriculture practice by the Dead Sea. Sustainability by its nature is a complex concept relating to issues of environment, economy, and society. In order to evaluate sustainability of agriculture the research examined these issues using a holistic approach. As a tool for evaluation a set of criteria was developed and used. The criteria related to questions of water use and management, use of agro-chemicals, target markets for the products from the area and socio economics of farmers and farming communities. In addition the research examined sustainability in the neighboring farming community, across the political border, in Alsafi, Jordan. II The importance of the study lays in the holistic approach understanding that sustainability cannot be measured from a single viewpoint of environmental or economic performance. Rather this research includes various aspects which were examined on a regional and national level. In addition the comparison between agriculture practice in Israel and Jordan shed light on the weaknesses and strengthes of agriculture practice in the area and enables cooperation between the communities by mutual learning. In regards to water use and management in was found that the major part of attention by regional officials and water authorities lays on the development of additional water sources. Very little attention is paid towards protecting current water sources and examining or challenging current consumption patterns. Having said that, due to nature of the area which is characterized with chronic water scarcity and poor water quality, water use technologies are in common use in attempt to achieve efficiency in production. In Jordan on the other hand, policy is directed towards development of new sources and in addition protection of existing sources, even on the expanse of farmers' needs for water. In regards to the use of agro-chemicals a very positive trend is seen. Due to consumer demand there is a clear process of reduction in the use of agro-chemicals and replacing them with Integrated Pest Management methods. A slower process shows an increase in practice of organic farming. These acts are results of market requirements coming from export markets in Europe and USA. This process is not seen in Jordan where due III to lack of awareness chemical use is based on costs and on availability of products and know-how. The farming community in the Israeli side of the Dead Sea sustains itself economically due to the dependence on export. It is argued that although on a local level exporting products enabled economic sustainability for the farmers, on a global scale export of agricultural goods in very damaging to the environment, thus not sustainable. IV Acknowledgments I would like to express my gratitude to the following people who assisted in this research: First and far most Prof. Alon Tal for his patient guiding and remarkable support on this work, as well as years of teaching and offering inspiration on environmental work in general. Many thanks to David Lehrer and Dr. Clive Lipchin for accompanying me through the research work and for their assistance and support. Many thanks to Dr. Julie Torttie for teaching me the 'secrets' of true social studying and opening a door to a new field of interest. I would like to express my gratitude to the farmers and residents of the Dead Sea Region, the Israel side as well as the Jordanian side, for hosting me repeatedly and sharing their knowledge and understanding. Additional thanks to all the interviewees in this research for their time and knowledge. For their editing and moral support many many thanks to Alison Amster and Ranit Kirshenbaum. Thanks to Zein Nsheiwat and Abd Elghani for assisting with access to data in Arabic. Thanks for the staff and faculty of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, Miriam Ben Yosef specifically, for believing in me and offering endless support and friendship. Many thanks for Dorit Levin and the staff of Albert Kats International School for Desert Studies for their assistance throughout my studies. I would like to also thank all my colleagues from the Dead Sea Project for a fascinating experience and tremendous learning. It has been a joy ride. Last but not least, thanks to my family and friends for their love and support. V List of Contents ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................ I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................................................................IV LIST OF CONTENTS.............................................................................................................................. V LISTS OF TABLES, FIGURES, AND PICTURES............................................................................VII 1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................1 1.1 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ............................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Indicators for Sustainability......................................................................................................4 1.2 AGRICULTURE IN ISRAEL...................................................................................................................7 1.3 THE DEAD SEA AREA ......................................................................................................................11 1.3.1 The Saltiest Lake in the World ...............................................................................................11 1.3.2 Life at the Shore of the Dead Sea ...........................................................................................16 1.3.3 Population by the Dead Sea Area ...........................................................................................17 1.3.4 Dead Sea Works .....................................................................................................................20 1.3.5 Sinkholes ................................................................................................................................23 2. PROCEDURE ......................................................................................................................................27 2.1 RESEARCH SUBJECT .........................................................................................................................27 2.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ....................................................................................................................28 2.3 THE STUDY AREA............................................................................................................................29 2.4 METHODOLOGY...............................................................................................................................30 2.4.1. Criteria for Sustainable Agriculture in the Dead Sea Region ................................................30 2.4.2 Research Work .......................................................................................................................32 2.4.3 About Semi-structured Interviews...........................................................................................36 2.4.4 About Focus Group Meetings.................................................................................................37 3. AGRICULTURE IN THE STUDY AREA .......................................................................................39 3.1 LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS...............................................................................................................40 3.2 AGRICULTURALLY-RELATED INSTITUTIONS....................................................................................45 3.2.1 Government .............................................................................................................................46
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