Rice is perhaps one of the few basic foods that in itself has the power to stop world hunger. However, one of the main issues in rice is its growing process which typically requires large amounts of water. “Netafim”, an Israeli company that amongst other things is famous for developing drip-irrigation agricultural systems, is planning on fixing the “water problem” for global rice farmers.
Currently, rice production is using more than 40% of Earth’s fresh water. Netafim’s plan which is based on drip irrigation cuts water use by a third, saving both Earth’s fresh water and billions of Dollars. LaFagiana near Venice, Italy, has become the first farm to use the Israeli drip irrigation system for a rice farm. The farm has already been independently certified as having reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Netafim has launched the first carbon credits initiative for rice growers. This initiative was created to dramatically reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation to almost zero, while providing additional long-term income to growers. Learn more here: https://t.co/M3CNDbqFd7 pic.twitter.com/WH8mEKvdGe
— Irrigation Today (@irrigationtoday) December 5, 2022
Gaby Miodownik, president of precision agriculture at Netafim, spoke with the Israel tech-centric publication “Nocamels” regarding his department’s new developments. “If just 10% of paddy rice farmers switch to drip, the drop in emissions will be equivalent to taking 40 million cars off the road. Netafim is extremely proud to lead this initiative. In the face of climate change, the only surefire route to sustainable agriculture is to grow more with less — less land, less water, and significantly fewer greenhouse emissions.”
Miodownik added: “I believe that this technology, when used appropriately, with the right types of investments, has the opportunity to be the ‘new normal’ way of growing rice globally. I don’t think our world can afford to be doing things the way they’ve been done for years and years, especially when you have the environmental impact that rice cultivation has, as it’s currently done right now. We’re not out there to move mountains tomorrow, we do know that this will take time.”
Trust drip irrigation to help you achieve better and higher yields with fewer resources. Speak to #TeamNetafim about or dripline offer: https://t.co/KjyilxudPi
— Netafim SA (@NetafimSA1) November 29, 2022
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.#dripirrigation #growmorewithless #choosemore #precisionirrigation #agriculture #netafim #netafimsa pic.twitter.com/CNozbPnF64
The Netafim president also mentioned their financial planning platform which is designed to aid farmers worldwide in investing in the new drip irrigation system. “This is why we are keen to reward farmers. If they’re going through these sustainable practices, if they are investing their time, effort, and money to transform how rice has been grown globally, let’s look at ways to offset some of their investment.”
Orbia’s Precision Agriculture Business Netafim Reveals First Carbon Credits Initiative for Global Rice Growers https://t.co/kcUkPsJMm4 pic.twitter.com/KtiIWNUxNa
— Olivier Flandre (@oflandre) November 16, 2022
Netafim is known for being the leading company in their industry and is largely responsible, along with Israeli farmers, for the agricultural developments and greenery throughout the Negev desert in Israel.
