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Desert Agriculture in Israel
Presented by
Bank of Israel
Nominal value
2 new sheqalim
Weight
31,1 g
Diameter
38,7 mm
Metal
Silver 999°
Mintage
2 800 pcs
Production quality
Brilliant Uncirculated
Designer
E R Design Team
Producer
Royal Dutch Mint
Description of obverse and reverse
The obverse: the Israel State Emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, "Independence Day 2020" in English and Hebrew, face value and mint mark. Behind the face value is an element representing the hot desert sun. In the lower border, artistic elements represent tomatoes and grapes grown in the Negev Desert.
The reverse: border inscription: "Desert Agriculture" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, and olive branches. Left, the strong desert sun, greenhouses and rectangles of a histogram, signifying control of growth conditions in the greenhouses. Right, panels for production of solar energy, grapes, peppers and tomatoes, representing the fruits and vegetables grown in the Negev. Below, drops of water and pipes symbolize the drip irrigation.
A brief annotation
Agriculture in the Negev Desert already existed in ancient times. With the establishment of the modern State in 1948, the dream of Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion was to make the desert bloom, However, with the underlying fact that 60% of Israel's territory was desert land, there was a need to overcome the challenges of a hot, dry climate, and Israel achieved this with success. Use of advanced technology and techniques led to production of some of the world's highest and best agricultural yields in desert conditions, in relatively small areas.
