A celebration in the Arava: Ein Yahav farmers grew giant pumpkins, reaching over a meter in length and weighing up to 40 kg. The pumpkins were grown by farmers Rami Sade and Shuni Gal, who took advantage of the excellent weather conditions in the Arava, the sun that shines almost all winter days, and the special irrigation water, to reach the giant size.
Unlike common pumpkins, the giant pumpkins of Ein Yahav have no air, so they are particularly heavy.
The price of a single pumpkin reaches over 100 shekels, but they are not sold directly to consumers, but are transferred to a cutting plant and marketed in chains and stores after being cut and packaged.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
Rami Sadeh, an agronomist for the 'Beauty of Vegetables' association of Ein Yahav farmers, said that following the success, the cultivation of giant pumpkins will be expanded next year as part of the development of new and sought-after types of vegetables.
Ein Yahav farmers have experience growing specialty vegetables. About a year ago, the world's largest pepper was grown in Ein Yahav, weighing about 600 grams. Due to its diameter, it failed to pass the sorting system at the packing house in the moshav.
The vegetables in Ein Yahav are grown in closed and protected structures of greenhouses, net houses and tunnels. The water for irrigation is pumped locally only and has a high salinity level relative to water in the rest of the country, which contributes to the quality and special taste of the vegetables. The growers protect the vegetables with special methods of biological pest control with predatory insects, in order to reduce the use of pesticides and a series of laboratory tests. The cultivation is carried out for only 11 months of the year, with the break intended for complete disinfection of the area and a smooth start to the new season.
The Ein Yahav Farmers' Association is in the process of increasing its product basket and its availability throughout the year by bringing together private growers and kibbutzim from all over the country for joint marketing. According to the association's CEO, Daniel Lev, joining forces is good for both farmers who come to the market united, for chains that are happy to work with a reliable and large entity, and for consumers who receive quality vegetables and strict health supervision.
