Volcani Brochure

When the
world turns
to Israel for
agricultural
innovation,

Israel
turns to
Volcani

Volcani Institute

Israel’s Agricultural Research Organization

We The Land Neve Ya’ar, 1950s
Are of Israel was a desolate landscape in the
Volcani 19th century. It was the Zionist dream Studying Wheat Deposits, 1942
and a pioneering spirit that drove new Agricultural Experiment, 1926
For decades, Israel has been a global leader in agriculture. immigrants to move to Israel to work the Lab Worker, 1950s
land. However, they had no agricultural
Our small country’s impressive agricultural expertise has been driven by the experience. Agricultural Classroom, 1926
Volcani Institute—the leading, largest and oldest agricultural research center in
Israel. Accounting for approximately 75% of the country’s agricultural research, Isaac Elazari Vilkansky, a Lithuanian
Volcani is the main driving force behind Israel’s internationally acclaimed agricultural agronomist, arrived in 1908 in response
achievements. It is our cutting-edge research, done by Israel’s leading scientists, to a request to assist, four decades before
that breeds the innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture and environmental Israel’s independence. With his vision to
preservation from which the whole world stands to benefit. establish a dedicated agricultural research
institute, he became an instrumental force
Through direct relationships with local farmers, international capacity building in changing the landscape, helping the
initiatives and prestigious programming for higher education in agricultural young nation to achieve food security and
sciences, Volcani’s global impact is constantly growing. prosperity as it prepared to declare itself
the Jewish State.
Earning Israel international recognition, Volcani’s agricultural innovations
provide solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges: Establishing Volcani in 1921, Vilkansky
n Food Security n Climate Change n Environmental Sustainability and Israel’s early pioneers not only achieved
agricultural miracles in making the desert
bloom, but set the stage for Israel to become
a world leader in agricultural research.
Since its establishment, Volcani has been
sharing its unique expertise with partners
around the world.

VOLCANI INSTITUTE 1

Volcani is on the front
lines of the global
battle for greater
food security.

FOOD Achieving food security is key Minimizing
SECURITY to our future. By 2050, the Post-Harvest Loss
world’s population is estimated
to reach 9.7 billion. Thus, one of A Myriad of Methods for
the greatest challenges facing Ensuring Grain Survival
the world today is ensuring that Wheat is a staple food in more than
a rapidly growing global pop- 40 countries, feeding over 35% of the
ulation has access to enough global population, yet it is estimated that
affordable and nutritious food. 10% to 30% of the world grain crop is lost
Volcani scientists are working to each year post-harvest. To combat this,
ensure greater food security in Volcani scientists have developed a port-
Israel and around the world. folio of unique approaches and innovative
solutions, resulting in record-breaking
Breeding Better Crops Enough to Go Around the Table grain preservation. The approaches in-
clude preventative measures, systematic
Pest infestation and plant dis- The UN’s food organization inspection, eco-friendly protectants and
ease can be responsible for estimate accounts for 1.3 billion improved fumigation technology.
devastating losses in the field, tons of food per year lost after
leading to extensive waste, being harvested from the field. Got Milk?
rot and ruin. By breeding new These losses are devastating to a
crop varieties with important growing population with dwindling The World’s Most
traits such as increased yields, natural resources. Volcani’s work in Productive Cows
disease resistance and great- extending shelf life and avoiding Through efficient dairy farm-
er stress tolerance, Volcani is rot has made monumental strides ing, the Israeli milk cow has
working to ensure that more in preserving the food grown become the most productive
food can be made available for around the world, feeding millions. in the world. This is due to
safe and healthy consumption. Volcani’s work in livestock
management, genetic breed-
2 VOLCANI INSTITUTE ing and feed optimization. In
2014, Volcani’s cows produced
almost 30% more milk than
American cows.

3

Reducing Pesticides Volcani is advancing the
quest for sustainable
Insect Vacuum agricultural practices for
Volcani’s insect vacuum cleaner is Israel and the world.
designed specifically to target pests
on herbs, removing the insects without Unsustainable agricultural ditioners and improved cultiva- ENVIRONMENTAL
damaging the plants. This natural pest practices present a loom- tion methods, which can prevent SUSTAINABILITY
solution eliminates the need for harm- ing and immediate threat salination and erosion and help
ful pesticides, resulting in herbs that to species and ecosystems Israel’s soil maintain its vitality.
are safer to consume. across the world. While we
need the land to sustain us Agri-Tech for Sustainability
4 VOLCANI INSTITUTE with food, we must also en- Precision agriculture is the
sure that our farming prac- key to minimizing the use of
tices sustain the environment valuable resources (as well as
well beyond our lifetimes. harmful chemicals) needed to
grow healthy crops. Volcani
Sustainable Agricultural scientists are developing innova-
Practices tive technologies using robots,
Through the establishment computers and sensors to enable
of a Model Farm dedicated to farmers to grow more while
developing and disseminating reducing damage to our health
innovative solutions for sustain- and environment.
able agriculture, Volcani is intro-
Environmentally ducing more sustainable agricul-
Friendly Fertilizer tural practices benefitting Israel
and the world. Among the
Formula for Success primary goals of the model
farm: a reduced need for
Fertilizers provide essential nutrients harmful chemicals in pesticides
for plant growth. Volcani scientists and fertilizers and increased
created an environmentally friendly water and soil conservation.
formula for the optimization of plant
nutrition. The formula has increased Preserving Israel’s Soil
yield and quality and makes the
plants more resilient to disease and Good soil is essential; it lays
climate stress. As an added bonus, the groundwork for sustaining
the formula increases the plant’s agriculture. Yet Israel’s soils are
post-harvest shelf life. thinning, harmed by the use
of low-quality water, the harsh
climate and intensive cultiva-
tion. Volcani researchers are
promoting the use of soil con-

VOLCANI INSTITUTE 5

FROM Field

The Seeds The Soil The Water The The The Plate
Plants Journey to
Today, our food supply Healthy soil is essential Most countries use Your Table Ensuring that we can
is threatened by climate for the production of high more water for irrigating A high percentage of feed the global popula-
change, pests and diseas- quality crops with great- land than any other crops are lost to disease Food waste takes a heavy tion is important, but it
es. Yet, at the same time, er yield. Unfortunately, purpose, but water and pest infestations, toll on global food security is also vital that the food
we must meet the global as a result of aggressive resources are scarce. but many of the conven- and intensifies the pres- on our plates provides
need for healthier and agricultural practices, soil tional solutions, such sure to increase the yield enough nutrients to keep
more nutritious food. is being degraded at a Superior water use and as pesticides, contain of produce. us healthy and strong.
rapid rate that will take efficient irrigation tech- harmful chemicals.
Plant breeding is a thousands of years to niques are, therefore, Approximately 1.3 billion Volcani is enhancing
key weapon in our regenerate. critical for food security. The food that is lost tons of food are wasted the nutritional value
battle against these chal- could be helping to annually, with 520 million of our food by increas-
lenges. Though this pro- Volcani scientists are Volcani scientists feed a hungry world. resulting from losses on ing antioxidant qualities
cess naturally takes thou- improving our under- are world leaders the farm or improper and fiber content in cer-
sands of years, Volcani is standing of the process- in developing Scientists at Volcani storage and handling. tain crops. Also, by taking
accelerating the pace of es leading to a loss of soil innovations to are developing a natural properties from
improvement exponential- fertility and developing maximize irrigation variety of methods Volcani has one of the plants and using them for
ly to keep pace with the methodologies to reclaim efficiency and for natural pest largest post-harvest medical purposes, Volcani
needs of the future. Today, damaged soils and pre- devising protocols prevention that keep institutes in the world, is contributing to health-
Volcani scientists breed vent deterioration in soil for the use of plants healthy and where scientists are pio- ier outcomes for people
crops adapted to warmer productivity. recycled water. whole, while protecting neering safe technologies around the world.
climate conditions with the environment and to prolong the shelf-life of
special resistance to pests remaining safe for produce, including cooling
and diseases, as well as human consumption. technologies, humidity
crops with enhanced control, edible coatings,
nutritional content. packaging materials and
antimicrobial compounds.

6 VOLCANI INSTITUTE TO TABLE

Volcani is ensuring that we all have
enough healthy food to eat.

VOLCANI INSTITUTE 7

In Israel and around
the world,Volcani’s
scientists are leading
efforts to combat a
changing climate.

CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change threatens the Eye in the Sky
viability of crops throughout the
world. Recent numbers indi- A Bird’s Eye View of the
cate that the food security and Field in Real Time
livelihoods of nearly one billion
people in around 100 countries Water is a valuable resource and
are threatened by desertifica- should be allocated only where
tion. Farmers around the world needed on a farmer’s field. To pin-
are facing greater water scarci- point the thirsty crops, Volcani has
ty, increased desertification and developed thermal imaging drones
the spread of new pests and that tell farmers at a glance how
diseases. Given the rapid pace much water each crop needs, allow-
of these changes, it is becom- ing them to conserve both money
ing ever more crucial to culti- and water by optimizing irrigation.
vate crops that can thrive in arid
conditions. For decades, Volca- Finding Solutions Weatherproof Wheat
ni scientists have been leading
the way in devising solutions for Through the Center for Adaptation to Withstand the Test of Time
arid area agriculture to ensure Agriculture in Arid Areas,
sustainable livelihoods for farm- a specialist research hub As the global climate changes, it threatens one of the
ers in Israel and beyond. and experimental beta-site world’s largest staple crops: wheat. Volcani scientists have
for implementing cutting improved the future food security of millions around the
Dangers of Desertification edge innovations, Volcani world by developing wheat varieties better suited to arid
has developed innovative conditions. The “Benedictus” (also known as “Binyamin”)
By 2025, it is estimated that solutions that assist in water and “Aviv” varieties flourish in high temperatures and
1.8 billion people will be sub- conservation, and others flower earlier, thus avoiding drought during the critical
ject to absolute water scarcity, that help farming around stage of grain filing. This wheat breeding serves as a
and two-thirds of the world’s the world flourish in the unique example for how researchers can conserve genet-
population could live under face of climate change. ic diversity while transferring beneficial traits and genes
water stress conditions. Due from wild relatives to commercial varieties.
to Israel’s naturally hot and arid
landscape, Volcani scientists
have great experience in de-
vising solutions for arid area
agriculture, enabling agriculture
and farming efforts to flourish
across Israel’s desert.

8 VOLCANI INSTITUTE 9

Olive Oil Project Volcani’s international
collaborations and
Extending an Olive Branch contributions are
Across the Region building bridges
in the region and
Fostering regional collaboration in around the world.
the growth of olive groves between
Israel and its neighboring countries,
the olive oil project works to em-
power indigenous farmers through
joint research and knowledge dis-
semination. With specialized irriga-
tion practices and optimized produc-
tion methodologies, these farmers
see increased yield and quality, and
in turn, increased profits.

Cassava and Teff Tikkun Olam International BRIDGES
Cooperation: to PEACE
Improving the Quality and A core tenet of Volcani’s mis- Volcani’s Joint
Quantity of Superfoods sion is to repair the world and Research Programs
Volcani has made tremendous build a better tomorrow, and Volcani is dedicated
breakthroughs in the cultivation of that means everywhere — not to international col-
two staple African crops: cassava, just Israel. Volcani’s agricul- laboration with both
one of the top ten most imported tural research has the capac- governmental and
crops in the world, and teff, an ity to save lives around the private organizations.
Ethiopian superfood. By applying globe. By sharing knowledge Volcani cooperates
successful protocols for irriga- with developing nations and with institutions in
tion and fertilization, Volcani has empowering them through countries across five
helped to improve their growing continents:
practices and increase their yield. courses, summits, seminars
and workshops, Volcani care- n Africa
10 VOLCANI INSTITUTE fully guides these countries
through major agricultural n Asia
obstacles.
n Australia
Bridges to Peace
n Europe
Agriculture knows no
borders; Israel shares the n North America
same agricultural challenges
as its neighbors. Volcani
engages in hands-on region-
al cooperation, including
joint research, seminars and
training with other players
in the region, including the
Palestinian Authority, Egypt
and Jordan, forming connec-
tions that transcend political
differences and ideologies.

VOLCANI INSTITUTE 11

A STRONGERThrough education The cutting-edge International
ISRAEL and innovation, agri-tech research Education
Volcani helps to undertaken at
strengthen Israel Volcani is a key Sharing Agricultural
on a global scale. driver to this inno- Solutions Worldwide
vation economy.
Through the Volcani invites countries from around
years, Israel has Working in the the world to take courses that teach
been breaking Periphery them how to implement new tech-
ground for new The vast majority nologies in irrigation, conservation,
and life-changing of Israel’s agri- plant protection and more. Around 70
agricultural technolo- culture is located countries, including many developing
gies. Volcani is the force in the periphery. nations, have participated in these
behind this strength, Volcani provides courses. Many students, often from
spreading knowledge and regionally specific India and China, come to Volcani for
improving Israel’s standing support and outreach high-level research training in post-
across the world. to farmers working doctoral programs, taking home with
in the periphery and them priceless knowledge to improve
Training Future Generations creates prestigious their homeland’s agricultural future.
Volcani strongly believes that career opportunities
the next generation of scien- for talented scientists
tists must be equipped with in Israel’s northern and
the tools and the knowledge southern regions.
to build upon today’s research.
To ensure a better tomorrow, Light Unto the Nations
Volcani trains Ph.D.s and post- The first Israeli resolution ever
doctoral students from Israel to pass in the United Nations
and around the world in agri- was on agricultural innova-
cultural sciences. tion—a topic that has since
become a standing item on the
Boosting Israel’s Economy agenda. Volcani has been in-
Israel, famously known as strumental in laying the founda-
the ‘Start-Up Nation,’ is home tions for and maintaining Israel’s
to countless world-changing position as an agricultural lead-
innovations and the field of er, which has opened avenues
agriculture is no exception. for dialogue and enabled Israel
to advance a positive narrative
Today Israel boasts a rapidly on the global stage.
growing agri-tech scene with
over 400 agri-tech start-ups.

12 VOLCANI INSTITUTE

The Volcani Institute is Neve Ya’ar
comprised of hundreds of
scientists in six institutes Bet-Dagan
on its main campus, and Gilat
in two off-campus
experimental stations.

Bet-Dagan Campus
Institute of Plant Sciences
Institute of Animal Sciences
Institute of Plant Protection
Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences
Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences
Institute of Agricultural Engineering

Northern Research Centre

Neve Ya’ar
Environmental Sustainability

SOUthern Research Centre

Gilat
Desert Agriculture

Israel’s Agricultural Research Organization (ARO)

The Volcani Institute
P.O.B. 6, Bet-Dagan, 50250 Israel

Volcani International
[email protected]
www.volcani.org

Volcani International is a non-profit organization committed
to supporting the work of the Volcani Institute.