The Ministry of Agriculture has agreed to make changes in the
multi-risk insurance contract with farmers, calculating the
sixth year of the Shmittah cycle twice so that farmers
who observe Shmittah would not be harmed in the event
of damage caused by nature (as explained further below),
Agricultural Minister Yisrael Katz notified Degel HaTorah
General Secretary MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni this week.
Several weeks ago Katz, Gafni and various mayors and public
figures participated in a tour conducted at the Center for
Halacha-Based Agriculture, headed by HaRav Yosef Efrati and
located in Nachal Sorek. During the course of the tour,
Minister Katz pledged to assist and stand by the observant
farmers and the Center, which serves as the largest
institution for activities in the sphere of Land-of-Israel
mitzvas and based on directives by today's leading
poskim.
During the tour HaRav Efrati asked Minister Katz to begin
preparations for the next Shmittah year. Minister Katz
promised to help to the best of his ability and even said his
ministry is preparing to examine the issue of multi- risk
insurance for farmers who keep Shmittah.
When damage caused by natural phenomenon occurs,
choliloh, the government compensates farmers for their
losses based on their average income and agricultural yields
over the four preceding years. When a Shmittah year
falls during that time span the Shmittah-observant
farmer receives less in compensation since he posted no
profit for the entire year of Shmittah that his fields
stood idle. As a result, religious farmers have suffered
considerable unjustified losses over the years.
Following the tour and the conversation between Katz and
Gafni, the Agriculture Minister sent a letter to Rabbi Gafni
stating the matter had been taken care of. Along with the
letter Katz also sent a document from the office of the
Agricultural Ministry Director-General saying the Budget
Department of the Finance Ministry had agreed to carry out
changes in the multi-risk insurance contract. A copy of the
letter was also sent to MK Rabbi Litzman.
