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Israel's Economy

Water Innovation

How Israel turned water scarcity into a strength through drip irrigation, recycling most of its wastewater and large desalination plants.

Israel has little natural water.

Drip irrigation

  • Modern drip irrigation was developed in Israel, with Netafim founded in 1965.
  • It delivers water directly to roots, saving water.

Recycling

Israel recycles a large majority of its wastewater for farming, the highest share in the world.

Desalination

Large plants like Sorek supply much of household water from the sea.

Pricing

Water is priced to reflect scarcity.

Israeli firms have worked on drip irrigation and water projects in India.

The drip line

A farmer in the Negev desert grows tomatoes using drip lines that deliver precise amounts of water.

Thinking deserts can't farm

Drip irrigation and recycling make it possible.

Key takeaways
  • Netafim pioneered drip irrigation.
  • Israel recycles most wastewater.
  • Desalination supplies household water.
  • Pricing reflects scarcity.
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