TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES – MANILA

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WRE 305 - IRRIGATION ENGINEERING

CE41S3

PRELIM ASSIGNMENT NO. 1

Irrigation system in Israel

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Enriquez, Vanette Joy M. Engr. Angelika Lagrada

Student Instructor

February 20, 2024

 SUMMARY OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN ISRAEL: A REVIEW

The paper entitled "Irrigation system in Israel: A review" by Girma Megersa and
Jemal Abdulahi examines the irrigation system of Israel and identify the most common
irrigation methods used for safe, efficient, and sustainable agricultural production in arid
and semi-arid regions. It provides an overview of Israel's geography, population, and
agriculture, highlighting the country's dependence on irrigation due to frequent droughts,
desertification of agricultural land, and water scarcity. Israel is a densely populated
country with limited arable land, and irrigation is crucial for agricultural production. Based
on the provided case study of the paper, 20% of the land of Israel is arable and half of
that has to be irrigated. The authors state that water scarcity is the primary limiting factor
in Israel's agriculture, and the country depends on irrigation. Additionally, they describe
the major challenges faced by Israel, including rapid urbanization, depleting resources,
technological uncertainty, and high cost of non-conventional sources, degradation of
water quality, and increased water scarcity. It highlights that Israel's agriculture is
characterized by high technological level, pressure irrigation systems, automatic and
controlled mechanization, and high-quality seeds and plants.
The main objective of the paper is to review the irrigation system of Israel and to
identify the irrigation system that could be effective in arid and semi-arid regions for
efficient utilization of scarce water resources and determine whether they can serve as
models for other arid and semi-arid regions. The following are the aspects regarding the
main objectives:
i. To analyze the irrigation system of Israel, focusing on its effectiveness in
arid and semi-arid environments.
ii. To explore the various irrigation methods used in Israel, including surface
irrigation, localized irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and sub-surface drip
irrigation.
iii. To assess the advantages and disadvantages of these irrigation methods,
especially in relation to water conservation and sustainability.
 iv. To provide recommendations based on the findings, suggesting ways to
adapt successful irrigation strategies from Israel to address water scarcity
issues in arid and semi-arid regions globally.

The methodology used includes a literature review to examine the irrigation system
of Israel and compare it with other irrigation methods suitable for arid and semi-arid
regions. The authors focused on understanding the advantages and disadvantages of
various irrigation methods, particularly emphasizing the water-efficient nature of drip
irrigation. The various irrigation methods are gravity-fed systems, pressurized systems,
and localized irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation, spray or micro-sprinkler irrigation,
and sub-surface drip irrigation. They explored the recent developments in Israel, such as
recycled water usage, wastewater treatment, and desalination, to propose innovative
approaches for arid and semi-arid regions. The authors recommend the adoption of these
innovative technologies in arid and semi-arid regions globally to enhance productivity and
address water scarcity challenges. Moreover, the authors conducted a thorough search
of relevant scientific articles, reports, and databases to compile data on the irrigation
system in Israel and other arid and semi-arid regions. They then presented the various
irrigation methods, comparing them to drip irrigation, which is recognized as the most
water-efficient method.

The authors found that drip irrigation is the most water-efficient method of irrigation,
with a water efficiency rate of 70 to 80%, compared to open irrigation, which achieves
only 40%. The authors also noted that drip irrigation can be combined with plastic mulch
to further reduce evaporation and is the means of delivery of fertilizer. The authors
emphasize the significance of drip irrigation in addressing water scarcity and promoting
sustainable agricultural production. They concluded that the technology currently
innovated to alleviate the problem of irrigation water resources by Israel should be
adopted in arid and semi-arid regions of the world to increase productivity. Therefore, the
paper suggests that drip irrigation and other innovative approaches should be adopted to
address water scarcity issues in arid and semi-arid regions globally. The authors also
emphasized the need for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions
to ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of farmers.

In my opinion, the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the irrigation

system in Israel and the effectiveness of various irrigation methods. However, the paper
could be improved by including more empirical data and case studies to support the
authors' claims. The authors could also provide more detailed information on the
economic and social impacts of the irrigation system in Israel, particularly on the
livelihoods of farmers and the wider community. Additionally, the paper could benefit from
a more in-depth discussion of the challenges and limitations of adopting drip irrigation
and other innovative approaches in arid and semi-arid regions globally. Overall, the paper
provides valuable insights into the irrigation system in Israel and the potential of drip
irrigation and other innovative approaches to address water scarcity challenges in arid
and semi-arid regions.