SASWMP

Southern Arava Sustainable Waste Management Plan

Master Plan for Agricultural Waste

A master business plan was developed for treatment of all agricultural waste in the Hevel Eilot Regional Council area, including cost-benefit analyses and environmental feasibility studies of the use of available technologies. The plan  includes:

Þ mapping the distribution in space and time of agricultural wastes (including types, quantity, current use, trends, etc.)

Þ  reviewing available technologies to identify best solutions for our desert environment.

Þ  cost-benefit analysis of these technologies and environmental feasibility study .

A regional steering committee was formed including representatives of the Regional council, the various regional agriculture enterprises, and local experts. The master plan covers all the regional agricultural activity—Fields crops, Dairy farms, Date Orchards,   Citrus orchards, Poultry, Sheep raising.

A clear part of the strategy was to involve the farmers themselves at all stages of planning and decision-making. They understand the need to meet both the Ministry of Environment and protocols relating to waste treatment and are genuine partners in the process. This confirms our approach of a synergetic combination of economics and environmental protection that will help contribute to the successful implementation of the program.

The most significant achievement after reaching the specified goals of the task was  the involvement of Ardom Regional Enterprises (ARDOM). ARDOM is a local agricultural business firm, jointly owned by eight kibbutzim who are also stakeholders in the Master Plan.

At a meeting of ARDOM in November 2006, the plans for setting up compost stations were presented to a wide forum and accepted as a potential business venture, under the aegis of ARDOM. An economic analysis of the plan was executed, comparing the cost of several compost centers versus one central center. It recommended one central compost station over a number of smaller stations spread throughout the region.  The Ministry of Environment also supports the setting up of one central compost plant, contributing 160,000 NIS to the planning process. The Ministry demands a specific detailed planning program and environmental impact study, necessary to receive approval for the location of the plant.  The Ministry of Environment support will enable completing the statutory process necessary to receive land use approval.

The compost venture, based on a business partnership of ARDOM and the eight local kibbutzim was approved in July 2007, and a Board of Directors was chosen. The Afik Engineering firm was contracted for planning and environmental assessments. They presented a number of site alternatives- Yotvata South was chosen. This is site is also suitable for the organic farms in the region. Afik completed a general environmental impact and assessments survey., and is now working on detailed environmental assessment survey and detailed planning of the site, as demanded by the Ministry of the Environment.

Timeframe:

By End of 2008:

The completed plans will be approved by the district planning commission.

Other  regulatory approvals will be received.

During 2009:

The formulation of the  business plan.

The possible inclusion of farms and agribusinesses from Middle Arava region (50 KM north of the southern Arava) in the venture.

The compost site constructed and operating.