The Agriculture Ministry, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance announced Wednesday that they would support farmers in the Gaza vicinity with NIS 8 million in funding to encourage early harvesting, according to a report published by the Hebrew-language Walla! News site.
As part of the initiative, farmers whose areas are adjacent to the fence within 0 to 7 kilometers of Gaza (4.35 miles) will receive financial support for the early harvesting of wheat and barley for silage and hay.
The majority of wheat and barley crops will be harvested green or half green before drying.
The Gaza Belt area — within the 0 to 7 km zone — is the “Ground Zero” area within which Israeli residents have 15 seconds or less to find shelter before a rocket, missile or mortar shell lands in their vicinity.