Israel Environment Bulletin Spring 1996-5756, Vol. 19, No. 2
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
by Prof. Uri Mingelgrin
Chief Scientist, Ministry of the Environment
Introduction
Agriculture has a significant impact on environmental quality. On the one
hand, it links the farmer to the natural environment, protects cultivated
"green" areas from encroachment by urbanization and industrialization, and
provides an environment-friendly method of disposing such wastes as the
organic component of municipal waste, sludge and effluents. On the other
hand, modern agriculture can cause irreversible damage to the environment.
Improper use of pesticides, careless use of effluents or saline water for
irrigation, poor cultivation and uncontrolled grazingall are examples of
agricultural activity which may adversely impact the environment.
Negative agricultural practices may lead to reduced soil fertility, damage
to flora and fauna, increased runoff, and contamination of groundwater and
surface water sources. To reap the fruits of modern agriculture while
avoiding its dangers, a sustainable development policy for agriculture
must be formulated, which will include the following elements.
Minimization of Pesticide Use
Integrated pest management, which integrates biological control, proper
soil cultivation, seed recycling and use of pest and disease-resistant
species along with chemical pesticides, should be promoted. Two reports
have been published in Israel on the subject: one, published in 1990, on
integrated pest control; the other, published in 1994, on reducing methyl
bromide use. The recommendations of both reports were adopted by the
Ministry of Agriculture and should be adopted as national policy.
Sophisticated and efficient use of chemical pesticides, by such means as
controlled release or efficient dispersion systems, should be an integral
part of sustainable agriculture. Farmers should be encouraged to adopt
pest control methods which reduce reliance on toxic chemicals and support
the development of durable species, selective toxicity pesticides, and
irrigation and pesticide application methods with minimal risk. In
addition, the possibility of imposing levies on farmers or consumers using
conventional pesticides to compensate for the environmental damage caused
by these toxic materials should be considered. Transferring the cost of
the damage to the polluter or user will serve as an economic incentive to
switch to environment-friendly methods of pest control.
Agricultural Use of Recycled Water and Waste
Effluent reuse for irrigation is not only a solution (if only partial) to
Israel's water scarcity problem, but is also the most environment-friendly
solution to the problem of effluent disposal. This, of course, is
conditional on the level of effluent treatment required to make effluents
suitable for agricultural use. Efforts should be invested in adapting
irrigation methods to use with recovered water and in formulating
regulations and guidelines for management methods which will ensure proper
irrigation practices.
Potable or marginal water should be used efficiently and in a manner which
will prevent environmental damage. Sustainable agriculture should
concentrate on technologies which make water use more efficient, such as
intensive greenhouse agriculture, rain-fed irrigation and more efficient
irrigation methods.
The organic component of household waste or sludge may provide an
important additive to agricultural lands, after compostation or other
appropriate treatment.
Desertification
Desertification is one of the major dangers confronting the world today.
In many countries, and especially in areas adjacent to deserts, soil
fertility has decreased while desertification has increased. In Israel,
desertification may present a potential danger if means are not taken to
promote proper agricultural methods. Prevention of desertification should
be a national goal, which may be attained through the development and
adoption of suitable crops and agricultural methods, as well as through
afforestation and soil reclamation.
Summary
The costs of achieving sustainable agriculture are much lower than the
costs of repairing the damages caused by improper planning and
implementation. Implementation of the proposed program on sustainable
agricultural development is an issue of national importance, not only from
the environmental aspect but from the economic aspect. In order to fulfill
this program, steps must be taken to encourage sustainable agricultural
practices, through such means as education, guidance and government
incentives, on the one hand, and investments in the improvement of
technologies and management methods, on the other hand.