JERUSALEM, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Agriculture Ministry reported on Thursday that climate change could inflict annual damages of 1.54 billion shekels (415 million U.S. dollars) on Israel's plant sector from 2050.

       The ministry released a comprehensive study assessing the risks and opportunities climate change poses to Israeli agriculture and food supply, projecting significant impacts on productivity and costs. It anticipates annual losses of 1.5 to 2 billion shekels (404 to 539 million dollars) for the cattle and poultry sectors starting in 2050.

       The report also predicts a 2 to 5 degrees Celsius rise in average temperatures between 2050 and 2070, with an escalation in extreme weather events, including heatwaves surpassing 50 degrees Celsius.

       Furthermore, it warns of a 10 to 15 percent increase in evaporation rates, reduced soil moisture, and a consequent 13 percent hike in irrigation needs for the western Negev desert by 2050.

       In response, the ministry advises increased investment in climate adaptation strategies, such as water optimization, developing resistant crop varieties, and adopting climate-smart technologies.