The plan to relocate the Volcani Center has been officially withdrawn. This outcome serves as a testament to the importance of preserving agricultural research excellence. We must remain vigilant to ensure that these facilities continue their vital work uninterrupted.
July 23, 2016
Final supporters
Please help us save Volcani Center and agricultural research in Israel
The Agricultural Research Organization,Volcani Center, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Israel, (Volcani in Wikipedia; Friends of Volcani) celebrates 95 years of research excellence this year. Originally created in 1921 for the benefit of all the residents of the land, it has long been a world renowned agricultural science research center, responsible for the vast majority of Israel’s achievements in agriculture. The State of Israel enjoys the fruits of Volcani center's manifold research achievements, and benefits from the many international ties formed during joint scientific and development projects. Research groups at the Volcani Center collaborate worldwide on a broad range of topics involving agriculture and the environment, including improvements in crop and animal production, food security, soil and water resources, and food quality, storability and safety. The products of Volcani Center research are recognized all over the world, and serve as a model for international scientific and agricultural activities.
In March 2016, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Israel announced a plan to relocate the Volcani Center from its current location in the center of Israel, where it serves the needs of farmers around the country, to a development area in the northernmost part of Israel, which is home to less than 20% of Israel’s agricultural production. The current central location of the Volcani Center enables daily contact with farmers nation-wide, leading universities, major R&D and agri-tech companies, and foreign visitors. Closing or relocating the Volcani Center to a remote outpost will cause catastrophic damage to agricultural production, education and outreach in all parts of Israel, particularly at this critical time of global warming and its already devastating effects on food and water security.
The relocation proposal makes it difficult to attract and retain new scientists and technical staff, thus limiting research. Relocation of a small and devitalized research center to a far-distant development area that cannot support its activities will result in closing of the Volcani Center and the end to Israeli agricultural innovation as we know it today.
We welcome your show of support as a signatory to this petition to reject the proposed move and evisceration of the Volcani Center. We believe that the international research community can be of great help by voicing their concerns. Please feel free to forward this petition to your academic colleagues.
We, the undersigned faculty and staff at academic and research institutions around the world, oppose the transfer and marginalization of the Volcani Center. The basis for maintaining a nation is its ability to provide food for itself, especially a nation such as Israel that is surrounded by enemies and which is threatened by international boycotts. An enfeebled Volcani Center will bring disaster upon Israeli agriculture and hence upon future generations.
Updates
June 10, 2016
The petition has reached five hundred signatures. This level of participation demonstrates a shared recognition of the critical importance that the Volcani Center holds for our agricultural future.
Reached 500 supporters
June 9, 2016
June 4, 2016
I have been reviewing the detailed feedback many of you provided regarding the proposed relocation. These insights are currently being compiled to present our case to the relevant ministry officials. Thank you for your continued dedication to preserving the legacy of our agricultural research.
Reached 100 supporters
June 1, 2016
409 Comments
I visited the Volcani years ago and I was impressed for the great activity, the local and international relationships and the vicinity to growers on one side and to the airport for foreign visitors. Should be a great pity to have the Center somewhere far away.
Moving the Volcani Center to a remote location would destroy agricultural research in Israel. the Center is close to major institutes in Israel which is a prime opportunity for collaborative research which attracts international research opportunities.
This relocation would damage the intangible benefits of the synergies amongst scientists from different disciplines. The current location is famous for the intellectual environment that it creates. Please reconsider this ill-advised change.
It appears the main motivation for this move has nothing to do with improving agriculture, but instead with increased space for housing at the Volcani Center's current location. Very sad. I urge Israel's leaders to reconsider this move.
Volcani Center has long supported research of major importance for arid land agriculture. The Center should remain centrally located to stay connected to what is going on throughout the country and to inspire the next generation of leaders in food production.
The transfer of the scientific center to the north in order to build houses with expensive apartments on the vacant square in the center is called the development of the north. This is nonsense.
Instead of investing in Transfer,to invest in the advancement of research and maitaining the place as green lungs for the region.
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The plan to relocate the Volcani Center has been officially withdrawn. This outcome serves as a testament to the importance of preserving agricultural research excellence. We must remain vigilant to ensure that these facilities continue their vital work uninterrupted.
July 23, 2016
Final supporters
Please help us save Volcani Center and agricultural research in Israel
The Agricultural Research Organization,Volcani Center, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Israel, (Volcani in Wikipedia; Friends of Volcani) celebrates 95 years of research excellence this year. Originally created in 1921 for the benefit of all the residents of the land, it has long been a world renowned agricultural science research center, responsible for the vast majority of Israel’s achievements in agriculture. The State of Israel enjoys the fruits of Volcani center's manifold research achievements, and benefits from the many international ties formed during joint scientific and development projects. Research groups at the Volcani Center collaborate worldwide on a broad range of topics involving agriculture and the environment, including improvements in crop and animal production, food security, soil and water resources, and food quality, storability and safety. The products of Volcani Center research are recognized all over the world, and serve as a model for international scientific and agricultural activities.
In March 2016, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Israel announced a plan to relocate the Volcani Center from its current location in the center of Israel, where it serves the needs of farmers around the country, to a development area in the northernmost part of Israel, which is home to less than 20% of Israel’s agricultural production. The current central location of the Volcani Center enables daily contact with farmers nation-wide, leading universities, major R&D and agri-tech companies, and foreign visitors. Closing or relocating the Volcani Center to a remote outpost will cause catastrophic damage to agricultural production, education and outreach in all parts of Israel, particularly at this critical time of global warming and its already devastating effects on food and water security.
The relocation proposal makes it difficult to attract and retain new scientists and technical staff, thus limiting research. Relocation of a small and devitalized research center to a far-distant development area that cannot support its activities will result in closing of the Volcani Center and the end to Israeli agricultural innovation as we know it today.
We welcome your show of support as a signatory to this petition to reject the proposed move and evisceration of the Volcani Center. We believe that the international research community can be of great help by voicing their concerns. Please feel free to forward this petition to your academic colleagues.
We, the undersigned faculty and staff at academic and research institutions around the world, oppose the transfer and marginalization of the Volcani Center. The basis for maintaining a nation is its ability to provide food for itself, especially a nation such as Israel that is surrounded by enemies and which is threatened by international boycotts. An enfeebled Volcani Center will bring disaster upon Israeli agriculture and hence upon future generations.
Updates
June 10, 2016
The petition has reached five hundred signatures. This level of participation demonstrates a shared recognition of the critical importance that the Volcani Center holds for our agricultural future.
Reached 500 supporters
June 9, 2016
June 4, 2016
I have been reviewing the detailed feedback many of you provided regarding the proposed relocation. These insights are currently being compiled to present our case to the relevant ministry officials. Thank you for your continued dedication to preserving the legacy of our agricultural research.
Reached 100 supporters
June 1, 2016
409 Comments
Relocation of Institute from existing area not only disturb the education infrastructure but also effect the farmers of Israel, scientists and particularly researchers from International community which are benefited from outreach programs
I visited the Volcani years ago and I was impressed for the great activity, the local and international relationships and the vicinity to growers on one side and to the airport for foreign visitors. Should be a great pity to have the Center somewhere far away.
Moving the Volcani Center to a remote location would destroy agricultural research in Israel. the Center is close to major institutes in Israel which is a prime opportunity for collaborative research which attracts international research opportunities.
This relocation would damage the intangible benefits of the synergies amongst scientists from different disciplines. The current location is famous for the intellectual environment that it creates. Please reconsider this ill-advised change.
It appears the main motivation for this move has nothing to do with improving agriculture, but instead with increased space for housing at the Volcani Center's current location. Very sad. I urge Israel's leaders to reconsider this move.
Volcani Center has long supported research of major importance for arid land agriculture. The Center should remain centrally located to stay connected to what is going on throughout the country and to inspire the next generation of leaders in food production.
The transfer of the scientific center to the north in order to build houses with expensive apartments on the vacant square in the center is called the development of the north. This is nonsense.
Instead of investing in Transfer,to invest in the advancement of research and maitaining the place as green lungs for the region.
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Relocation of Institute from existing area not only disturb the education infrastructure but also effect the farmers of Israel, scientists and particularly researchers from International community which are benefited from outreach programs