Tunisia’s lagoon farms and hanging gardens recognized as world heritage sites
Ramli agricultural systems in the lagoons of Ghar El Melh and hanging gardens of Djebba El Olia provide vital ecosystem services and traditional knowledge preservation.
irrigation
Learning the art of ancient irrigation the Nabatean way
The Nabateans were like the Mayans of the Middle East. The ancient people were developed in agriculture, spirituality and architecture. Archaeologists dig into how they dealt with drought in Jordan, one of the driest countries on earth.
American irrigation research finds watering sweet spot for agriculture and earth
Every drop counts in the Middle East and North Africa. How can we learn to better manage water on national scales. Some new research offers tips.
Ancient Egyptian River Could be Revived for Farming
Researchers from Al-Azhar University, Boston University and the University of North Carolina have discovered an ancient river that may be revived, in theory, to irrigate Egypt’s farm lands.
NaanDanJain’s Irrigation Technology Strengthens Ties Between India and Israel
Last week Kibbutz Naan sold 50 percent of its stake in the irrigation technology company NaanDanJain Irrigation Ltd. to its Indian business partner, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. Representatives from both groups met in Tel Aviv for the Agritech 2012 Conference and Exhibition in Israel. The joint company currently employs 120 workers at Kibbutz Naan. Jain […]
KarmSolar Prize Could Avail Solar-Powered Water Pump to Rural Egypt
A dynamic young Egyptian firm has won an $11,000 innovation prize for an off-grid, solar-powered water pump. Judges of the first HCT-Wharton Innovation Tournament held last week in Abu Dhabi were impressed by KarmSolar because their design could easily have a high impact on great numbers of people, reduce dependency on diesel, and it would […]
Afghanistan’s irrigation network gets an eco upgrade
World Banks funds new irrigation project for Afghans. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization is boosting its technical support for rehabilitation of Afghanistan‘s dilapidated traditional irrigation systems, in a bid to help farmers increase crop production. The initiative also aims to improve the knowledge and skills that farmers need to run and maintain irrigation systems. […]
Army Sewage Irrigates Nature Park in Israel
Oxygen aerators at Israel’s IDF Nevatim Air Force Base are purifying sewage water for irrigation use. Photo: Trlabarge/Wikipedia Many modern armies are now practicing clean technology by using equipment run on solar energy. This also holds true for the Israeli Defense Forces known as the IDF which aims to be greener. One of the prime issues […]
Gaza’s New Boardwalk Threatens Roman Ruins
Like Tel Aviv and Beirut, Gaza’s getting a boardwalk, but development threatens ancient Roman ruins. For years, it was a dusty, often garbage-strewn asphalt ribbon winding along Gaza City’s otherwise beautiful Mediterranean coast. Today, it’s a construction site, with heavy equipment plowing sand into position, digging tunnels and laying pipes. But if the plans proceed […]
When Nasrallah told the Hezbollah to plant trees
The Hezbollah is going green with an eco-jihad as a tactic of war against Israel. On October 9, 2010, Hezbullah‘s Secretary General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, briefly came out of hiding to mark the end of Hezbullah’s campaign to plant million trees in Lebanon to restore the country’s forests. This campaign was organized by Jihad al-Binaa, […]
Canada’s Greensoil Invests in Israel Cleantech
Greensoil, an investment firm from Canada will fund Israeli agritech companies with a reported $12 million. Cash from Canada will be funding clean technology companies in Israel. A new Canadian fund called Greensoil looks to build Israeli agritech companies with the launch of a $12 million CAN fund. Greensoil investors say they will invest in […]
Libyan Violence Dampens Great Man-Made River Project
This pipe was slated for use on Libya’s ambitious Man Made River project. The Omar Mukhtar Reservoir in Libya’s southern desert is the second largest in the world, and an integral component of the $20 billion Great Man-Made River project (GMMR). Begun in 1984, the mammoth pipeline designed to transport water from the south to […]
Libyan Revolution Will End Gaddafi’s Green Visions
Desert pivot irrigation project is one of Gaddafi’s several “eco wonders” that could be axed In a way, it might be possible to have empathy for Libya’s embattled head of state, Muamar al Gadaffi, whose beloved green projects all over this desert kingdom may soon be coming to an abrupt end. Prior to all the […]
Earthmisting Irrigation May be Plausible Solution to Middle East Agriculture
If it works as claimed, the Earthmister will go a long way toward greening the deserts. In the water scarce Middle East, a new type of crop irrigation device may prove to be a boon to growing crops. Called the “Earthmister” this system is said to use up to 80% less water than conventional irrigation […]
In the Face of “Nile-lessness” Egyptians Protest Water Shortages
Hotter summers, intense irrigation and threats of losing their Nile, Egyptians are under quota for water compared to other Arab nations. They take to the streets. Looking at Google Earth (above) truly shows how Egypt is a fertile crescent of the region. But in the face of losing water from the Nile, tens of thousands […]