Israeli agricultural leaders urged the government to reduce imports, highlighting local farmers' challenges amidst the war, at Israel's Fruit Growers Association conference held on Monday.
The conference, held for the first time since the war began, focused on food security, import threats, narrowing the gap between farmers and consumers, and professional innovations. The overwhelming topic of discussion was the effects of the Iron Swords War on Israel’s agricultural industry - and what the government can do to help.
Yaron Belhassan, CEO of the Israel Fruit Growers Organization, said that the government must reconsider its agricultural import policy now that the war has ended.
Belhassan argued that imports severely harm agriculture and settlement, particularly in Israel’s border regions. He urged the government to support farmers for the sake of food security.
Mor Bayda, a young farmer from the Netiv HaAsara community near the Gaza border, said that one third of the farmers in his moshav “haven’t returned and likely won’t,” with many of the greenhouses still abandonded.
The Iron Swords War the ‘final straw’
Bayda, who used to grow greenhouse crops for pepper and tomato seeds for export, participated in the panel, decided to switch to raspberry production after recognizing the massive importation of blueberries into Israel.
Bayda participated in “The Younger Generation in Agriculture,” where he outlined his struggles as a farmer in a Gaza-bordering community.
“Our moshav is the northernmost community bordering Gaza, about 150 meters from the fence,” he explained. The southern plots border the Erez Crossing, and throughout the war, we couldn’t reach them at all. The state is now relocating these plots to the northern area of the moshav. Farmers in Netiv HaAsara have faced many crises, military operations, and challenges but always rose again. However, the Iron Swords War was the final straw.”
Meanwhile, head of the Megiddo Regional Council Gil Lin said, “Agriculture is far more than a livelihood; it is Zionism in its deepest sense. Farmers safeguard Israel’s food security, standing as a living wall along its borders. October 7 and the war dealt a painful blow to Israeli agriculture.
The government must stand by the farmers, not with empty promises but through tangible action, financial support, and recognition of their national contribution.”
Belhassan echoed Bayda’s concerns, stating that “the government must also recognize that it has a duty to protect Israeli farmers so that, in times of war, economic crisis, health emergency, or embargo, we can continue producing agricultural goods and feeding the population, without dependence on another nation’s goodwill.”
He explained that during the war, farmers continued to work the land and harvest fruit under fire, and that because of this, Israelis have come to understand the importance of maintaining domestic food production.
“The state must invest in applied agricultural R&D, establish a modern wholesale market, and address the concentration and intermediary gaps in retail chains. It is crucial to invest in the younger generation of farmers and give them a sense of security for the future,” he said.
Belhassan expressed his gratitude to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Avi Dichter and his professional team for their ongoing efforts to strengthen Israeli agriculture.
Amit Yifrah, secretary-general of the Moshavim Movement and chairman of the Israel Farmers Federation, described the conference as happening in a “pivotal moment in the history of Israeli agriculture: during the Iron Swords War, when it was once again proven that farmers are at the forefront of the national effort.”
“Even when rockets fell and communities were evacuated, fruit growers continued to safeguard the land and provide fresh food for the people of Israel,” he said.
Yifrah commended Belhassan for his “courageous and determined leadership, his fight for fair compensation, his opposition to predatory imports, and his genuine cooperation with the Farmers Federation.”
He ended his speech by saying that “together, we will continue defending the fundamental right to grow Israeli produce on the land of Israel and pray for unity and the resilience of our nation.”
October 7 demonstrated importance of protecting farmers
Secretary-general of the Israel Farmers Federation Uri Dorman said that it is the farmer’s duty to “continue demanding the strengthening of agriculture in Israel.”
He argued that October 7 once again demonstrated the importance of protecting farmers and Israeli agricultural produce, and welcomed the agriculture minister’s decision to increase agricultural production by 33%.
However, he also recalled the importance of remembering to reduce production costs and allocating budgets to support the development and growth of farmers.
“Attention should also be given to President Trump’s agricultural import tariff policy on Israeli produce,” he warned.
Other notable events from the conference were Orit Katzir’s new solution for heatwave protection developed by Netafim, a global leader in irrigation systems, and Idan Papayir’s showcase of AI integration in agriculture.
Fruit Growers Organization’s “Lifetime Achievement Awards” were presented to farmers and researchers contributing to the advancement of the fruit industry in Israel: Haim Arditi, Rani Bernes, Dr. Anat Zisovitz-Kharit, Nimrod Hefetz, Amos Levin, Johnny Ajamiya, and Yossi Portal.
Also attending the conference were Tali Arfi, Registrar of Cooperative Societies; Moti Tzamir, chairman of the Fruit Growers Organization Council; Haim Havlin from the Kibbutz Movement; Moshe Brockental from the Plant Council; Chaya Rak Yahalom, director of Northern R&D; agricultural organization heads and settlement movement leaders, among others. The event was moderated by Peleg Orion.
The Israel Fruit Growers Organization was founded by and for farmers before the establishment of the state, in 1936. It is an independent, voluntary cooperative body representing Israel’s fruit growers. The organization prioritizes the continuity of agriculture in Israel and the integration of the younger generation into the sector. It represents thousands of fruit growers nationwide, cultivating about 360,000 dunams of orchards (excluding citrus) that yield about 700,000 tons of fruit annually, supplying high-quality produce to both domestic and export markets.
The value of Israel’s fruit industry is approximately 7 billion shekels, accounting for about 23% of the country’s total agricultural output.