Areas of activity of Northern R&D >>>

The areas of activity of Northern R & D are characterized by extreme differences of topography and climate, and contain a wide variety of different forms of settlement.

The area includes:

l 9 Local and District Councils
l 129 agricultural villages
l 45,000 inhabitants
l 10,000 families

Sub-regions and Activities

A. Golan Heights
This sub-area can be divided into three:

1. Southern Golan - Field crops, subtropical fruit & citrus orchards
2. Central Golan - Variety of orchards, open-field flowers
3. Northern Golan - Like Highland area (see below)

All agriculture on the Golan is advanced and conducted at a high professional level.

B. Hula Valley
Generally advanced agriculture, combining deciduous, subtropical and citrus orchards with field crops.

C. Highlands (Merom Galil and Northern Golan)
High-tech deciduous orchards and vineyards, combined with tourism

D. Western Galilee
High-tech deciduous orchards, mushrooms, village tourism

Production figures for Northern R&D 1998 (In NIS 000)

* - Sources: Central Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Northern R&D
** - 1 dunam = 0.1 hectares


SWOT Analysis of Agriculture in the Operational Area of Northern R&D

Strengths
l Geographical advantage for cultivation of fruit, flowers and aqauaculture.
l Accumulated experience and wide knowledge in agriculture.
l Original and independent thinking, together with constant and co-operative ambition to improve.
l The area is Israel's "Green Lungs"
l Manpower of Northern R & D is of a high standard and lives locally.
 		 Weaknesses
l Reduction in professional and administrative manpower in settlements.
l Multiplication of frameworks, factors & branches.
l Limitations required by environmental quality
l Lack of investment & reinvestment capital.
l Market surplus in a number of crops.
l Low quality produce in a number of crops.
 
Opportunities
l Relative advantage in cultivation of: deciduous fruit (pip and stone), wine grapes, mango, litchi, flowers (open field, bulbs and blossoms), aquaculture.
l Development of market for mushrooms and for ornamental fish (warm & cold water).
l Changes in consumer habits for animal products (eggs, meat, poultry, fish) that create opening for brand names and premium prices. 		Threats
l Exposure to imports of fruit, meat, fish and milk.
l Reduction in available water.
l Drop in water quality.
l Changes in tastes of Israeli consumer.
l Trend to market economy with max estimates.
l Problems in protecting local plant species and avoiding damage to natural environment.