Throughout the world, effective farming is a very prominent issue especially in areas where the surrounding environment causes several roadblocks in terms of how successful crops can be. These issues are especially apparent in Israel because of the blazing heat and large masses of empty desert which combine to hinder growth due to a lack of rain. At Eden farm, these problems are being taken head-on by scientists and farmers alike. Several crops are grown at Eden farm including watermelon, basil, tomatoes, and a variety peppers. Because of the variety and quantity of crops at Eden farm, powerful technology is required to produce quality crops. This standard of quality is met through a system of enclosures that contain water-inflated sleeves that are heated by the sun, producing heat during colder times in order to help crops double in size. This technological advancement has created a massive difference at Eden farm in terms of which crops can be grown at what times of year, and how well they can be grown.
A second advancement at Eden farm is a tracking technology that is used to locate harmful bugs. Specifically this tracking technology is being used to find bugs that eat date trees from the inside out and cause severe harm to the environment. Since date trees are so common in Israel, the infestation of these insects is a huge burden on Israeli farming, but this isn’t just an Israeli dilemma. In fact these insects are a worldwide problem and the weight of solving it rests on the shoulders of the scientists at Eden farm. In order to gain the necessary technology for tracking these bugs, Eden farm has teamed up with a branch of the Israeli army that tracks tunnels being dug into Israel. This companionship has caused created a huge boost toward solving this insect crisis and once again putting Israel in forefront of the race toward technological advancements. After visiting Eden farm, I truly understood, to the best of my ability, how problematic the life of a farmer can be. But learning about how Israeli farmers have solved these problems and continue to solve more everyday, has truly made me appreciate the farming community and everything they do in order to create a product for everyone to enjoy whether in America or Israel.