THE IMPORTANCE OF DAIRY FARMING ACROSS THE WESTERN NEGEV

True to its reputation for agricultural prowess, the western Negev produces 6.5% of Israel's dairy, despite accounting for only ~2% of the country’s dairy farms. That contribution to Israel’s food security, however, is only one of the reasons why this industry is worthy of attention.

Dairy farming also plays a unique and critical role in guaranteeing the financial health and resilience of the western Negev’s farming communities. As dairy is regulated by the Israeli government through quotas and price controls, it provides relatively consistent and dependable revenue which communities desperately need, especially in the wake of October 7th.

AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN KIBBUTZ NAHAL OZ

To help rebuild the western Negev’s farming communities in the wake of October 7th, the Israeli government has significantly increased the quotas of milk which can be sold by the region’s dairy farms.

Kibbutz Nahal Oz is now able to sell an additional 960,000 litres of milk each year, a 19% increase on previous production.

This is a game changer for this community, especially as dairy farming plays a critical role in the economic resilience of kibbutzim. This increase has the potential to:

⦁ Secure a huge boost to quality of life and resilience of the kibbutz: generating much needed stable income, boosting the quality of life of residents.

⦁ Encourage returning communities: strengthening a central pillar of the local economy.

⦁ Benefit future generations: the impact will continue for decades, benefiting kibbutzim and their communities.

⦁ Send a defiant message about Israeli resilience: showing that Israelis will not give up in the face of terrorism and communities will not abandon their proud agricultural identity.

⦁ Bolster Israel’s food security and independence: rebuilding an agriculturally productive Negev which is of key strategic importance to Israel.

• Project Status: XXX

• Total Cost: XXX

• Funds Needed: XXX