Sodom Valley

About 700 families, 3200 people,

are living in the 7 Moshavim (communities) of the Arava

60% of the fresh vegetables (not including carrots and potato)

exported from Israel are from the Arava

Export value 250 million Export value 250 million €€

The distribution of agricultural crops - season 2011/12

3000 ha – vegetables

81%

80 ha – flowers

2%

600 ha – orchards

16%

1755Capsicum

60Eggplant

43Cherry Tomato

140Tomato

14Miscellaneous

250W atermelon

57Herbs

25Zucchini

42Onion

263Spring Melon

39W inter Melon

235Fall Melon

60 %

Vegetable production (ha) – Central & Northern Arava 2011/12

The Climate of the Arava

Syrian-African Rift, Desert climate

Long summer, high temperatures, average daytime

temperature of 400C

Dry winter, average daytime temperatures of 250C but

some cold winter nights with temperatures around 00C

Mostly clear days with no clouds and ample sunshine

Precipitation: 25-50 mm a year

The Soil of the AravaMainly floods, wind and rain have

created the local soil

Some of the cultivated land is on

sandy soil, other parts were

created by covering harsh land

with sand

The sand reserves of the area,

as those of Israel, are used up.

* The Arava is not connected to the national water system of Israel

Water in the Arava Desert

* The Arava is not connected to the national water system of Israel

* Water supply is from local drillings

Water in the Arava Desert

-- 200200

-- 500 500

-- 1,0001,000

-- 1,5001,500

Aquifers Aquifers

* As agricultural area, consumption of water is high and seasonal

* The Arava is not connected to the national water system of Israel

* Water supply is from local drillings

Water in the Arava Desert

* As agricultural area, consumption of water is high and seasonal

* The Arava is not connected to the national water system of Israel

* Water supply is from local drillings

* Water quality is varying, from very brackish water to drinking water

Water consumption - 2001 - 28,500,000 m3

Water in the Arava Desert

2011 – 37,000,000 m3

14,859,046

6,615,700

147,200

2,760,460

953,200

3,108,900

EC 1900-2650

EC 2650-3400

EC 3400-4100

מים קורוזיביים

EC 4100-4800

מים שפירים

Water consumption - 2001 - 28,500,000 m3

52%23%

3%11%

איכות המים

10%

1%

31%

3%

52%

4%

Water consumption - 2011 - 37,000,000 m3

Ein Yahav - 1959

50 years ago Establishment of first community in the Arava Desert

Building a new home

1963

Research and Development R&DCentral and Northern Arava

1991 - Yair Research Station

named after Yair Goron

1988 - Zohar Research Station

named after Yehuda Zohar

Development & improvement of crops

Soil diseases and disinfection

Orchards

Aquaculture

Produce quality and shelf life

Alternative ground cover

Organic Agriculture

Plant protection

Flower studies, acclimatization and agro-technology

Climate research in greenhouses

Main Research Subjects:

Research and Development R&DCentral and Northern Arava

”CLEAN ARAVA“Flagship project:

Goal: elimination of quarantine pests

1. Sanitation Period

2. Treatment of quarantine

pests including the

“Zahav Project”

3. Reduction of use of

pesticides

Research and Development R&DCentral and Northern Arava