Drip irrigation, celebrated for its precision and efficiency, is a game-changer for sustainable agriculture. It conserves water, cuts down on fertilizer use, and boosts crop yields, addressing some of the most pressing agricultural challenges. Yet, despite these advantages, it’s been adopted on only 4-5% of irrigated land globally. Why hasn’t this groundbreaking technology been embraced more widely?
There is nothing small about smallholder farming, neither in its numbers nor in the opportunity it presents. The 500 million smallholders across the planet produce a third of the world’s food. However, despite their significant contributions, most of these farmers struggle with limited access to essential resources like seeds, crop protection, and fertilizers, as well as agricultural expertise.
One of the upsides of my job is being able to be a part of a process and see things come to fruition. This for me, is also one of the great benefits of working at Netafim. As a company which was born in the fields and was led by farmers, the strategy has never seemed to revolve only around selling products but rather around bringing an entire agricultural project to life. Over the last 10 years I have been privileged to embark on this exciting journey many times and accompany farmers, governments and organizations around the world who chose us as their partners when transforming their farming operation.
The world has been living in the ignorant belief for centuries that “We’ll always have enough water for ourselves” Water is essential for life. However, the unthinkable has unfortunately happened, and right now 43 countries, which comprise about 700 million people across the globe, are facing worrying levels of water crisis. The United Nations further estimates that as early as 2025, two-thirds of the population of the world will be suffering in water-stressed regions.
In developing countries, women bear the brunt of every load. Literally. They birth and raise their children, are responsible for the home, its cleanliness and provisions, and head out to the fields to earn their families’ daily wages. Yet, although women make up nearly halfof the agricultural labor force in these countries, they tend to have lower rates of land ownership than men, as well as less access to lines of credit, markets and technology, leading them to generate 20% to 30% lower yields than their male counterparts.
