55 / 130
[
] 55
access
to
water
and
sanitation
for
all
basic sanitation services, but also an efficient use of water
resources. The promotion and implementation of an inte-
grated water management approach is, therefore, an essential
element for facing challenges ranging widely from shortage
in water supply for domestic and agricultural uses to dealing
with global issues such as soil erosion and desertification.
To meet these intrinsic needs, the 2030 Sustainable
Development Agenda sets in Goal 6 new guidelines aimed at
attaining food security through sustainable water manage-
ment by, among others, expanding international cooperation
and capacity-building support to developing countries in
related fields.
For Israel, water has always represented a chronic problem
due to its semi-arid and arid climates and frequent drought
years. The very first national projects of the young state,
established in 1948, were ones dealing with water distribu-
tion. The need to deal with climatic uncertainty and growing
water scarcity while continuing to meet the water needs of all
sectors, required a new perspective based on the development
of innovative water production and treatment technologies
and advanced management tools, as well as the development
of an inter-disciplinary approach incorporating water policy,
national-level water resource development and management,
large and small-scale technologies for water-saving and effi-
cient use and appropriate water solutions for the development
of the agricultural, urban and industrial sectors.
Moreover, pressure on Israel’s water resources has chal-
lenged its aquifers, both in their quantity and quality. In
order to maintain intensive agricultural production under
these harsh conditions there has been a constant drive to
increase water use efficiency, to use new resources, and to
develop new techniques and methodologies that enable the
practice of sustainable agriculture.
Concurrently with promoting research and development
of cutting-edge water technologies, the State of Israel is keen
to share its unique experience in overcoming obstacles with
developing countries worldwide, through MASHAV, Israel’s
Agency for International Development Cooperation.
As one of the oldest international development cooperation
agencies in the world, MASHAV has, since 1958, been conduct-
ing training and capacity-building programmes in Israel and
abroad, combining the transfer of technology, research and
development and hands-on experience with hi-tech technolo-
gies originating from leading Israeli experts and institutions.
The knowledge, proven know-how, experience, expertise
and technologies accumulated in Israel in dealing with the
MASHAV conducts specialized training courses in Israel in water management related fields, combining theoretical knowledge and research with hands-on
experience. For this purpose, MASHAV established a demonstration plot at its Agricultural Training Center in Israel, showcasing advanced irrigation methods
and technologies originating from leading Israeli experts and institutions, for the benefit of participants from all over the world
Image: MASHAV