Almond tree has its roots in the middle east region . It is growing in countries such as Syria, Iran, Turkey, Spain, Morocco and Israel . It was spread by the humans in ancient times into Africa and Europe and more recently transported to other parts of the world, mainly California state, which has a climate similar to that of the middle east, with the high fertility of land, where it becomes today the most producing region in the world for nearly 80% from the total world production of this fruit and the rate of production of twice the rate of of production of other regions of the world.
The tree was known since the ancient times where it was known for its good taste and healthy benefits , and its fruit was among the species of the gift which Jacob/Israel asked his sons to take to the Prime Minister of Egypt.
The evolution of farming almonds in Israel
Almond cultivation was done firstly by farmers in a primitive way, where the farmer was farming his land with almond trees, fig trees, olive trees beside to other kinds of trees. His methods of cultivation was simple and the irrigation of trees was totally depending on rain water.
When Israel was announced they established a center for agricultural development, which was aimed at the development of agriculture, both in its quantity and quality. The center efforts had led to widespread cultivation of almond tree, like other trees and plants. Almond trees then became grown in much larger quantities, orderly and in modern methods with the use of irrigation as a means to increase the quantity and quality of production of the fruits of almonds. With the increasing population and development and the increase in the level of welfare and development of the economic situation, the desire to obtain the fruit of almond had increased.
The increased demand of almond had pushed towered more investment in the cultivation off almonds . Plans were drawn up . The new agricultural methods of modern irrigation methods, medicines and fertilizers had been introduced to increase production quantity and quality. Moreover, modern methods and machinery for the collection of fruits and manufacturing it at different manufacturing stages had also been used to keep pace with the increasing amounts of production and reduce the cost of production and manufacturing of these fruits . In addition to that, modern scientific methods were used to develop varieties of fruits which are more productive and disease resistant and with high quality.
Story of Umm el-Fahm almond tree
Almond fruit which is produced by the almond tree or Umm el-Fahm is considered as the finest almonds locally and globally.It is distinct from other types of almond by its taste and shape. It has an attractive shape with a golden color, and the proportion of seed to fruit is more than 60%, which increases its economic feasibility. Its origin was from Syria when it brought to the country by a person who was named Hassan al-Assad from Umm el-Fahm city in the Turkish period. After planting several trees of this class and they became productive, farmers had noticed its high quality in comparison to the types known to them. They then took samples from this tree to farm in their own lands.The tree took its name from the first person who brought it and became known as Hasan Asad almond tree. Within later times it was given the name of the tree of Hasan and later the name synonymous with this name is the name of the town of Hassan Al-Assad; Umm el-Fahm .Today it is called the tree of Hasan almond or Umm el-Fahm almond tree. It is the finest almond tree locally and globally without a competitor.
Since the beginning of the 30th until the latest 70th the Umm el Fham almond tree was planted and coexisted only in the area of the town Umm el-Fahm.
When Almond cultivation had took its recent situation the organized agricultural communities (kebots) then had interested in this type of almonds and it became the first to focus upon a class of basic almond varieties cultivated today. It constitutes nearly70% of the total cultivated varieties of almonds.
Investment in the fruits of almond
With the constant increase in the cultivation and production of almonds, investors in this area has also increased. Many of the agricultural communities (kevots) have gone to cultivate large quantities of almond trees. Also many factories had been established so as to process and manipulate the almond brought from different farms to get the seed from the exterior and interior covers. Many other traders had also invested in manufacturing and processing of these fruits to be offered in the market in an appropriate and attractive and healthy way.
As the cultivation of almonds has been developed so is the almond trade and investment in this sector has been developed too. Most of the investors in the trade of almonds are today large companies with huge potential and great infrastructure.