The new Israeli ambassador, His Excellency Dr. Eli Ben Tura, has followed in the footsteps of his predecessors by supporting The Beer-Sheba Project with his presence. The ambassador spent the morning of 17 November at the Project to gain an understanding of the vision as he viewed the different areas of interest within the Project. Local village chiefs were present to welcome him as he arrived.

The reforestation of the Project area being obvious, the ambassador was then given an explanation how eco-charcoal is produced as part of our forestry management plan by using the selective cuttings of a single variety of mature trees. The process is then completed using a new method of carbonization from the Casamance (south Senegal). He was even invited to partake in some pruning himself, as part of some active Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration.

After his visit to Beer-Sheba, the Israeli ambassador went on to see two other TIPA projects in the region.

The market-gardening area at Beer-Sheba which is now being established will use the Israeli TIPA irrigation system, with technical support from the Israeli Embassy.

Israeli ambassador visits Beer-Sheba from johannesnorg on Vimeo.