In this post, we want to present essential information regarding our project, the development of our plantation, and a significant milestone that will confirm the effectiveness and value of our project.
Kessler has started the Intercropping process on its plantation.
First, we want to briefly introduce the intercropping process and how Kessler carries out the process on its plantation. Intercropping is multiple cropping practices that involve growing two or more crops in proximity. The most common goal of intercropping is to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land by making use of resources or ecological processes that would otherwise not be utilized.
As described in previous posts, we started our project in the Negev desert, where the soil is entirely barren and unsuitable for agriculture because of its properties. The problem of hunger, the issue of land availability for food production, and the concern of the desertification of existing areas are just a few examples of the significant situations each country must face and must find a solution to as soon as possible. In addition, the change in energy policy and the ban on the use of food for fuel and energy purposes further aggravate these problems and force many local and international companies to act quickly.
Before starting the intercropping process, the most critical task was to create an appropriate genetic variety of our tree that would tolerate extreme climatic conditions and the barren soil found in the Negev desert. Considering that our tree variety, thanks to its extensive root system, will distribute nitrogen in the soil and effectively bind carbon (the natural process of soil fertilization and restoration of agricultural value), we were full of hope to reach the next milestone. Our company's project - restoring use-value for degraded soil, is based on three processes, namely:
Reforestation - The trees cultivated in these unfertile areas stopping the desertification process and the rapid evaporation of water from the soil.
Land reclamation - through our trees' properties, agricultural and utility values will gradually be restored.
Regenerative agriculture - restoration and protection of agricultural land and surrounding ecosystems. Restoring what has been degraded in the past.
Now we can officially and finally confirm the effectiveness of our genetic variation. Our trees not only adapted to highly unfavorable conditions but also, without any loss or damage, survived the severe winter period and all seasons and phenomena occurring in the desert. Our trees woke up after winter and started a dynamic growth process. Between the rows of our trees, Kessler has prepared a space for planting the Moringa plant.
Kessler chose the Moringa plant for this process because of the significant market demand for the Moringa plant and the full knowledge available on how to grow this plant and what cultivation techniques to use to get the best yield. The Moringa cultivation technique has been developed in detail by the Agricultural Research Organization (our partners). They were the first to introduce this plant in Israel many years ago and have the most experience performing with this plant. This knowledge and expertise allow us to look at the next crop thoroughly because all risks have been minimized or eliminated.
Moringa is the first plant we have executed in this process, testing other plants and agriculture products. Together with our partner, ARO, we develop new submissions for other plants to be included in the intercropping process.
Looking forward to the developments with great anticipation, we will be delighted to share the results we have achieved, posting further information and photos on an ongoing basis. Below are the latest photos from our plantation, as well as from preparations for the intercropping process.