“We were surprised. Urban agriculture will not be able to be a significant component of food security”

“Apparently there is here ‘Anti title‘”, says Amit Ben Tzur, who heads the ‘Foundations’ Institute for Public Policy and Practical Zionism, about a study they conducted on the agricultural trend of the last decade – urban agriculture. “We went out to check If urban agriculture is A relevant alternative channel for Israel’s food security, And we discovered that salvation will not come from there.”

“Urban agriculture will be able to provide for us 5% of the general consumption of vegetables and fruits, At most“, says Ben Tzur.”The conclusion is that the real solution is already in our hands. this Actually A title in itself, that This means that you have to invest in and develop what exists and works“.

In recent years there has been an extensive discussion on the subject Urban agriculture, which is often seen as a “panacea” for a wide range of social, health and environmental issues, including the issue of food security. attributed It has advantages many As far as improvement is concerned welfare the general of The public: from development systems food Locality accessible food healthy, native and fresh to residents, way Strengthening connection between the farmers to the consumer, development economic and increasing employment, Committee development the environment Municipal and strengthening Community cohesion.

Alongside the aforementioned benefits, the question of food security remains the same: whether The State of Israel can rely on urban agriculture to produce produce Fresh in scope big, to provide You their needs of residents the cities?

Advantages, disadvantages, cut limits and production capacity

Agricultural production in Israel in 2020 is estimated at approximately NIS 30 billion-8 A million souls. In 2030, the population in Israel is expected to stand at approx.11 million people. In 2050 the number is expected to reach-15 A million souls. In the last year, the Ministry of Agriculture has designated food security as a top priority and formulated a strategic plan that is based on On Increasing local production of fresh produce.

“In an era where global warming and climate change threaten the success of all of us, we must invest a lot of thought and planning, and refine our strategy for food security“, Ben Tzur explains“This means that it is necessary to find out what the appropriate solutions are for growing food, to be sustainable but also applicable on a sufficient scale“.

Opinions differ On the issue of the longevity of urban agriculture as a tool for ensuring food security. the difficulty Set in a way Precise You ‘Limits the cut‘ of urban agriculture and evaluate the potential which is embodied in it as an answer to a variety of issues, causing it to be caught No Once in public And among the determiners Policy as panacea. In practice, although it is effective as a solution to social, community and environmental issues, its effectiveness in terms of food security is not clear.

Ben Tzur claims that the lack of clarity makes it difficult to make decisions, set measurable goals and objectives, and implement a coherent policy accordingly. “We understood that it was necessary to examine the effectiveness of urban agriculture and sketch You the benefits and the disadvantages relative its“.

The research of an institute Foundations, led by the researcher Avinoam Adri and under the guidance of Shlomit Arbel, the Research Director of the Foundations Institute, focuses on two main goals: laying Base conceptual Obviously for discussion on the subject agriculture urban, and examining its potential to be a wide-ranging solution to a security challenge the food of Israel.

Adri, planner Specialized cities in relationships between planning urban, Urbanism and policy food, Tester If Israel need to act to increase Scope the production the farmer Through agriculture urban, as a tool for amplification availability The food for the urban population in Israel, and how it should do so.

The findings are not encouraging. The study, which includes an international review alongside the analysis of the production potential of urban agriculture in Israel, led to a clear and unambiguous picture: in accordance with existing knowledge and technology, Urban agriculture will be able to provide at most 5% of the general consumption of vegetables and fruits in Israel.

“Under the existing conditions in Israel, in view of the urban density and the additional needs that the urban space can and should address, urban agriculture will not be able to be a significant component in the field of food security,” explains Ben Tzur. “In this sense, Israel is no different from most of the developed world. In terms of programs that promote cities and governments in the world, on urban agriculture, Other countries don’t give a damn and don’t design an urban agriculture policy aimed at food security either“.

“There is no point in using the concept of urban agriculture as a slogan”

The research led by Adri assumes First and foremost A conceptual framework that defines agriculture urban. “One of the first problems we encountered was the question of definition,” says Ben Tzur. “Do you mean a home garden or a hangar in an industrial area? is she Is it intended to satisfy a personal need, a community need, or is it an increase for commercial needs? Is it located in courtyards, public gardens or on rooftops? Is it in the heart of the city or on the outskirts?? Is it basic gardening or hydroponic growing? On a detached bed? Each of these methods and practices has meaning in the question of the effectiveness of urban agriculture in relation to the challenge of food security. Each practice has different prices and benefits that need to be taken into account. There is no point in using the concept of urban agriculture as a slogan.”

The attempt to define the ‘sector boundaries’ of urban agriculture turned out to be a complex task. around the world define agriculture urban in forms different, and there are different expectations of its outputs. “There are different definitions for urban agriculture created by bodies and researchers throughout the world, simply because in different places it is applied in different ways,” says Ben Tzur. “In cases many The definitions relate also to the territories the farmers the borders in the city, in the distance of Until 20 K“M from the city. 60% superficial agriculture launched in the world are included in this range. In large cities in Europe and the USA this is a relevant definition“.

When trying to translate knowledge and insights from the world to context the Israeli, Such a definition may to be problematic. “If we go by this definition in context the Israeli, Urban agriculture will include parts significant superficial agriculture The usual in Israel, that borders in space The urban,” explains Ben Tzur, “simply because Israel is small. For comparison, the city Havana in Cuba produces Part big from consumption its within agriculture urban. spoken On territories in size of district Haifa“.

Therefore, the research of the Foundations Institute sticks to define narrower of agriculture urbanand define it as “practice to produce food and products farmers others, which is located Inside the space Interior–urban“.

How does it look? What practices are used? What are you growing?
Ben Tzur: “agriculture urban dividing to types Different of practices, protective vegetables at home Committee agriculture vertical in the area industry, that’s where towers Leaves Greens in containers or hangars, in a way commercial. methods the tumor variability, and include forestry urban, farms Urbanism, agriculture aquaponics (On water) and hydroponics, in the substrate detached with no use in the ground, and methods Tumor advanced others that are applied in scope small“.

What is happening in the world in this context??
Ben Tzur: “Research the feasibility No Optimistic. potential the production of agriculture the municipal dependent in the characteristics the urban, and exists difference significant potentially of agriculture urban in cities Various throughout the world. Most cities are getting crowded, And the open spaces are used for a large variety of uses and needs. in the end of Nothing, spoken in agriculture depends connection. the application its in practice adjusted to the environment the local and the conditions the social, the cultural ones, the economic ones, the physical and the political ones“.

in the World Food and Agriculture Organization FAO include in the definition agriculture the municipal gardening my home and communal to the side Tumor commercial and institutional, and the tumors Various: apply green leaves, roots, cereals, mushrooms and fruits Committee for plants cure and ornamental.

What is good for Cleveland, is not good for Israel

in the attempt to understand You the potential the future of urban agriculture, Survey b‘basics‘ Experiences in urban agriculture around the world. the potential of agriculture urban to donate for security food measured in her capacity to provide For the inhabitants of the cities the the consumption the self of vegetables and fruits. For this purpose, the scope of consumption, the size of the population and its growth expectations are taken into account, and the potential area for cultivation.

In New York, a city with a high population density and a paucity of open spaces, The output is estimated the maximum of production b-1.9% only from vegetable consumption and fruits fresh. This, provided they are converted all the lands the potential, Owned private or public, for my needs agriculture urban. spoken in percent negligible at all consumption of produce fresh. When calculating the real area for growing food, the scope of potential production is reduced even more.

Solar panels on agricultural buildings in the Jezreel Valley (Photo: Or Guetta)

Also the relatively dense city of Singapore, the capital of the state of Singapore, her name to herself target Ambitious to collect fresh produce with the help of urban agriculture, Still is found far away from the destination. If will be replaced all superficial the roofs in the city for my purposes agriculture urban, it is possible will be to provide You consumption the vegetables of 30% from the population. in a look First seen that it is in scope Significant, but when added to the calculation You consumption the fruits, and establish themselves On Space utilization and yields realism, the result parachuting hold sharp–digital at all consumption the vegetables and the fruits.

City of Cleveland which in the United States introduced You the result the significant in most of the surveyed cities. as per one the scenarios that we were tested, the city will be able to to provide to its inhabitants about-46% screen the consumption of vegetables and fruits Through agriculture urban. Cleveland’s secret is BView the urban Hers, the different one in a way significant from the view the urban in cities as dense as New York or Singapore. Cleveland Characterized by density low, Building suburban and multiplication lots freeandthe case its demonstrating how the potential of agriculture the municipal variable depending on the nature of the urban space.

What did you discover about Israel? Is there potential?
Ben Tzur: “We understand that there is difference significant between Cities Various in all concerning to the potential the production of agriculture Urban, also in Israel. the conclusion this one emphasizes You the need in the exam Individual of the potential the local in every country“.

Analysis the data in context the Israeli teaches On gap big between the potential the theoretical to the potential the real. “On Base the calculation that we performed, agriculture Urban in Israel will be able to to provide No More M-13% from consumption the self of vegetables and fruits, at discount theoretical of realization full. when brought in the account You the limitations the realism of Feasibility financially, limitations technicalities and competition On the surface, Scope the production the potential is reduced To-5% only from consumption the self That is, the donation to increase security The food will be low, also If we will move forward agriculture urban in a way extensive at all the territories the potentials in the city, like roofs Structures, parks public, gardens privacy and territories free in my area industry“.

“for agriculture urban community there is diverse benefits significant in all concerning to increase consumption of vegetables and fruits, improvement welfare the physical and the mental of the dealers in her and improvement The integration the social between groups Various In the city,” emphasizes Ben Tzur, “the benefits the accompanying of agriculture urban–community in the field the nutritional, the health, the environmental, the educational and the social justify You Continued its development. It encourages exploitation Good More of trash organic, Increasing consumption of vegetables and fruits and development infrastructure community These benefits are significant to me themselves, and justified promotion of agriculture urban in a way intelligent and directed objectives with the help of tool policy Different“.

Sounds like a ‘but’ is coming…
Ben Tzur: “But the benefits These are not are coming to Phrase when it comes to in agriculture urban Commercially, and there are few benefit for agriculture The city is increasing production food or in dealing with the issue of food security. Moreover, we have not found another country that manages to lead an effective policy that makes urban agriculture a significant factor in food production“.

“When you add to the picture the parameters unique to Israel: The density and the great competition for space, The situation is even more clear,” says Ben Tzur, “That’s right for today, agriculture the municipal offers response limited only to increase the production the farmer and for improvement security the food“.

So what’s good for Cleveland, Not good for Israel?
“Exactly. The land resource in Israel is limited. Every year, more and more agricultural land is taken away for urban construction. Inside the cities there is an attempt to maximize the realization of urban needs such as housing, employment, leisure, commerce and transportation on a limited area. There is also competition for rooftops in our cities Acute with urban needs and means of producing renewable energy such as solar panels, so also in industrial complexes”.

Limited areas, surprising findings

According to a study carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2021, the total economic benefits The estimated value for urban agriculture in Israel is lower than the total costs involved. The main reasons for this are The amount of property tax and municipal water rates. Additional costs are derived from competing for roof space with solar energy producers and traffic loads. The economic disadvantages stem from the expensive breeding methods that require water, adaptation of drainage infrastructures and the like. For example, commercial companies that have started You through them in agriculture roofs, have passed in the years the last ones for production agricultural in greenhouses industrialized in my area industry or in the regions farmers that are close to space the urban.

According to the economists of the Ministry of Agriculture, the total urban area that can be used for agriculture does not exceed 10% of the areas of conventional agriculture. so, It will be possible to grow in urban agriculture only About 2,000 one dunam, of which about 500 dunams are greenhouse areas only. The main crops that are suitable for urban agriculture are those whose growing period is short, Growing on a detached substrate on roofs or in containers and growing in open areas for self-consumption.

Solar panels on agricultural land (photo illustration: Shutterstock)

even when it comes to in agriculture vertical, that markets No time as a solution to the problem the shortage in the territories farmers, potential the production limited. the companies dealing with in agriculture vertical for most are concentrating in number Little of Tumors, given grow effectively On platform detached ground, and that are characterized in my life shelf short ones and on the edge profit tall.

The findings surprised you?
“In the bottom line, we discovered that urban agriculture does not really have a significant potential in terms of food security. It totally took us by surprise, Because when we set out we thought that the potential was more significant. We were surprised to discover that even if you connect all the technologies and all the different types of urban agriculture, Still, we will not be able to achieve a significant output. It turns out that the potential is very, very low“.

what is the scope The area that is relevant to urban agriculture in Israel?
“We tested Kinds Different of territories who can serve for agriculture urban: roofs structural residence, roofs Structures public, roofs structural industry, gardens privacy, parks public and territories free in my area industry. The study shows that scope The area is not negligible, though realization the potential of gardens privacy he problematic“.

in parks public, the surface that can Match Gardens Communalism or for ventures similar of agriculture urban is estimated at20%. When it comes to industrial zones, true for today in Given official regarding Scope the territories the free ones, and the estimate in practice Controversial, since territories that are available currently intended or planned for development in the future the nearest. in cases others spoken in the territories farmers function, that are marked in the plans the existence as superficial industry.

“A realistic assessment of territories free or potential more for agriculture Urban stands on 10,000 one acre only. The effective use Most will be grown in greenhouses industrialized controlled climate. The urban roofs are definitely more suitable to provide an effective solution for energy production,” he adds.

“If it is more profitable for the farmer to install solar panels, there is probably a problem with the policy”

domain agriculture the municipal In Israel it is under the responsibility of an official The forests in the office agriculture. the office coefficient three avenues central: Instruction and assistance to my coordinator agriculture in cities, giving grants for projects of agriculture urban and consolidation policy long range on the subject agriculture urban commercial.

What is the problem with the existing policy?
“exam the benefits and the disadvantages of agriculture the municipal done without separation between the types the various. projects of agriculture commercial vertical can to donate to an extent a certain for the economy the municipal, but No Inevitably to promote Community and educational values“.

in the years the last ones were published Crimson procedural supports for grants for agriculture urban. Between the years 2016-2022, grants were distributed in the amount of approx-24.6 one million shekels for ventures of agriculture settlement. in the year 2022 A procedure has been published support additional, which is intended for support in projects of roofs Greens and fairs Communalism.

The study also shows that the existing policy of the Ministry of Agriculture relies on the conclusion that agriculture the municipal will be able to constitute solution to complete capacity the production of produce a farmer fresh, but without explanation how. seen that is required Working Research square another one for extraction the potential incarnate in agriculture urban.

According to Ben Tzur, urban roofs are more suitable for dealing with issues such as green energy with the help of solar panels. “It is much better for the urban roofs to be used to produce green energy and not for the agricultural areas to be converted into solar fields. If it is more profitable for the farmer to place solar panels, there is probably a problem with the policy“.

What are your recommendations??
“When formulating a strategy it is important to understand that you cannot rely on hypotheses. Certainly when Israel’s economic policy is not aimed at the long term, And the country loves Ensure promises to voters. We are told that it will be fine‘ Because there is urban agriculture, without confirming the potential, the non-existent, of all kinds of theories. At the same time, for years the economic policy continues to shoot ourselves in the foot and damage the ability to produce“.

“If someone thinks that there is a significant potential for something that until today we have not really tried and we have not really invested in it, then this potential is probably not significant,” states Ben Tzur. “The one that we have not invested in, That’s another matter, But his potential is so limited, that we must look for the currency where it is, and that means strengthening and maintaining our national agricultural infrastructure“.

“The solution is not to keep saying that we have urban potential to produce food, but to build a strategic plan for food security that preserves, develops and invests in the production factors of normal agriculture. This means preserving agricultural land, It means water, It means farmers. We have ways produce food, that we know work. We need to invest in them, optimize them so that they are even better, because we can trust them in a responsible way and not in theory“.

Investment in research and development of vertical agriculture, alongside the preservation of agricultural areas

Ben Tzur’s recommendation is clear. “Leave aside the dream about urban agriculture and its potential to be a significant factor in food production, and invest in it in educational contexts, community and more“. according to him, The same agriculture that can be called traditional, She is actually very advanced. “According to all the information available today, The real potential, You can say almost the only one, It lies in strengthening our ability to produce fresh food for the population in Israel“.

“To strengthen food security, infrastructure is needed Agricultural land. The hundreds of dunams of agricultural land that are taken every year for the benefit of urban development is something to keep an eye on. The usual look at the agricultural lands says that the farmers make a profit from. I don’t look at it that way. I refer to agricultural land as a national infrastructure for food production, and to farmers as those who serve the public. in this respect, Right To say that they want to make a decent living and if they don’t make a decent living then they won’t be farmers either. If there are no farmers then there will be no agriculture. Agricultural land has a broad public purpose“.

“Agricultural lands in the countryside are becoming different things and we know that Israel does not have land potential like in other places. We have to look at it differently. stop the expropriation of Agricultural lands, or at least not reduce them. We are really shooting ourselves in the foot in terms of the ability of future generations to provide themselves with fresh food, that is not anchored on relying on other countries that are a bit difficult to build on, also geo-wisepolitically and also climatically“.

With this, the potential the theoretical of agriculture vertical and agriculture controlled climate in range the long he significant, so The study recommends examining investment in research and in development on the subject for the term the long, in combination With policy clear in all concerning for preservation territories farmers. Additionally, to the side the investment in research and in development proper Test policy planning that you allow development of regional designations for agriculture vertical and controlled climate.

You are talking about a broader strategy than food security.
“A broad plan is needed and a policy that defines all of Israel’s strategic goals in the areas of housing, energy, around the, Company and food. You have to look at them all together and not choose one and focus on it Or change only one and close your eyes to the rest. We need to manage a policy that is more complex, that looks at all the goals and sets priorities in a broad and long-term way, because we have to stand in all of them: produce clean energy, to produce housing for the growing population, Protect the environment and ensure open spaces for our life. All this requires planning of which food security must be a part“.

“There is a distortion in the situation where the farmer fears that he will suffer a financial blow if he gives up on placing panels Solarium in his agricultural areas. The farmers are not philanthropists, they are like any human being who wants to make a decent living, But making a decent living from agriculture is becoming more and more difficult. Even if I put aside all the basic risks in this industry in terms of being able to predict what your crop is going to be every year“.

“If the government wants the farmers to continue farming for all of us, it should give them incentives. A farmer who wants to turn his agricultural land into a field for energy production because it is more profitable, this is a huge failure not his, but of the state. of government policy“.

“The government policy should be one that defines the strategic goals and produces the necessary economic tools. In the end, of course, everything depends on the will of the various private players. In this context, the farmers They will push and work to achieve their personal goal, which is the livelihood. But from a broad public perspective, the State of Israel must advance its strategic goals. If a farmer decides not to do it, I don’t blame him, I blame economic policy“.