Agriculture

Agriculture
   Agriculture (most often associated with the kibbutz) has occupied a position of prominence in Israel and in Zionist ideology greater than its economic contribution has warranted. Its central place in Zionist ideology, dominant role in the settlement of the country, important function in absorbing new immigrants (see ALIYA), and security aspects have assured agriculture its priority in Israel's economic policies. The government has been involved in developing, subsidizing, and controlling agricultural activity, including fishing and forestry, since independence. The agricultural sector uses modern scientific methods and has significantly expanded the area under cultivation through irrigation drawn basically from the Jordan River. Agricultural research is extensive, and farmers are quick to adopt improved techniques and respond to changes in market conditions. Israel has become self-sufficient in food production and is an exporter of various foods, including citrus and other fruits, vegetables, and poultry products. In spite of its rapid growth, agriculture's prominent position has gradually eroded to the point where it contributes only about 5 percent of the gross national product, and it is a diminishing source of employment, primarily because of improved techniques and mechanization. Farm organization is predominantly cooperative, with the moshav being the most popular form, while private farming is primarily the domain of non-Jewish sectors, mostly Arabs and some Druze.

Historical Dictionary of Israel. .

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • AGRICULTURE — Étymologiquement, agriculture signifie «culture des champs», le mot culture devant être pris dans le sens de «mise en condition». Il désigne, par extension, la production des biens et les conditions de vie en milieu rural: la culture du blé, de… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • agriculture — ag‧ri‧cul‧ture [ˈægrɪˌkʌltʆə ǁ ər] noun [uncountable] FARMING the practice or science of farming: • Agriculture accounts for over 25% of net domestic production. agricultural adjective : • sales of agricultural machinery exˌtensive ˈagriculture …   Financial and business terms

  • Agriculture —    Agriculture has been one of the most important means of subsistence since prehistoric times. During the Middle Ages, agriculture was mainly organized by large landowners, including monasteries, or by colonists who turned wastelands into… …   Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands

  • agriculture — AGRICULTURE. s. fém. L art de cultiver la terre. Cet homme aime l agriculture, entend bien l agriculture. Traité d agriculture …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • Agriculture — Ag ri*cul ture (?; 135), n. [L. agricultura; ager field + cultura cultivation: cf. F. agriculture. See {Acre} and {Culture}.] The art or science of cultivating the ground, including the harvesting of crops, and the rearing and management of live… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • AGRICULTURE —    Agriculture formed the basis of the Mesopotamian economy. The first steps toward a managed production of cereals were taken as early as the 10th millennium B.C. in Syria, in the area known as the Fertile Crescent, which receives sufficient… …   Historical Dictionary of Mesopotamia

  • agriculture — AGRICULTURE: Une des mamelles de l État (l État est du genre masculin, mais ça ne fait rien). On devrait l encourager. Manque de bras …   Dictionnaire des idées reçues

  • agriculture — agriculture, sociology of See rural sociology …   Dictionary of sociology

  • agriculture — (n.) mid 15c., from L.L. agricultura cultivation of the land, compound of agri cultura cultivation of land, from agri, gen. of ager a field (see ACRE (Cf. acre)) + cultura cultivation (see CULTURE (Cf. culture)). In Old English, the idea was… …   Etymology dictionary

  • agriculture — *agrarian …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”