A Day in Mitzpe Ramon
Yoni and I moved to Mitzpe Ramon in the Negev and our lives are now focused on turning the desert green by planting many thousands of the amazing Argan tree. It can survive on minimal rainfall yet produces a healthy oil from its fruit.
The Argan tree is a very special tree- it has roots that can reach 70 meters (about 210 feet!) into the earth. One of the oldest trees on this planet, it is called “the tree of life” in its native Morocco. It has very specific cultivation needs that are identical with our conditions here in the town of Mitzpe Ramon in the Negev desert. Besides being a great ecological boon, this tree has been only recently discovered by the West and the market prices reflect the value of its product: precious argan oil.
We look forward with great joy to not only plant this tree here in the Negev desert but also be part of the unfolding of this tree’s potential as we discover more uses for the healthful oil and other parts of the tree. Argan of the Negev is a pilot project. We have received a parcel of land in the Negev desert outside of the town of Mitzpe Ramon in Israel. This land was used for military training but is being converted to agriculture. A real example of turning swords into plowshares!
Many other families will also be receiving plots to farm here. We hope to prove to both these families and to the government that the best possible use of the land in terms of water usage, ecology and income is argan. We hope to spark an argan industry here that will completely turn around our local economy and make it possible for more and more people to move away from Israel’s overpopulated center to the Negev. This is the dream of the prophets, the Vilna Gaon, Ben Gurion and ourselves. It is time!
Argan has been grown as a research crop for over 25 years in Israel successfully but now it is time to test it in our particular climate and soil as a cash crop- only then will it be listed on the government approved list of crops and other families who come after us will receive funding aid. This will open the door to a boost here that will lead to opportunity for many.
