The Negev region is in the midst of a drought year — a fact that has been acknowledged and now has become an official declaration by Israel’s Drought Committee, comprised of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Tax Authority.
The Committee recommended the approval of an official declaration of a drought year in the Negev. This opens the door for compensation to be provided to local farmers who grow crops such as wheat, barley, clover, peas, vetches, chickpeas, safflower,rapeseed and oats.
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon signed the approval on Wednesday.
Farmers in southern Israel located in the Gaza Belt region, whose fields have been burned to the ground by Hamas arson terror attacks, are also entitled to receive compensation under a separate government agreement.