Strengthening Israel’s Agricultural R&D

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Yair Shamir: “The program includes tools for high tech, sustainable industrial development in the fields of agricultural technology and knowledge in which Israel is a world leader. The connection between research and industry by levering research abilities to develop agricultural technology and knowledge will result in agriculture focused on industry and exports. This will contribute to the strengthening of Israel’s status in the world as a country that helps meet global challenges and will bring, to Israel, international companies wishing to work here”.

As a direct result of the Government’s decision and the recommendation of the Committee for the Strengthening of Israel’s Agricultural R&D facilities, headed by Prof. Eugene Kendel the Head of the National Economic Council, the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, led by the CEO of the of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, met for the first time to get the process started.

The primary guidelines adopted by the Government in December 2012, is aimed at the connection between research and industry in order to strengthen research capabilities that will help develop agricultural technology and knowledge focused on industry and exports. The program is part of the Prime Minister’s vision which directed the National Economic Council to take steps that will position Israel as a center for innovative, international activities in three central areas of activity: water and renewable energy, oil substitutes and food production. In order to promote the program, the Government will invest some 300 million NIS over the next 7 years with additional fund expected to be raised from private sector investments.