Volcani Institute is the largest agricultural research center in Israel and one of the most renowned worldwide. Its primary roles are conducting advanced research in agriculture and food sciences with an aim to promote, and assist the Israeli agricultural sector and farmers. As a leading institution in applied sciences, the Volcani Institute takes part in planning, organizing, and implementing outcomes of agricultural research in Israel.
In 1921, Yitzhak Eliezer Volcani (née Wilkansky) established an agricultural experiment station which later became the Agricultural Research Organization – Volcani Institute. Yitzhak Volcani envisioned creating a foundation for industrial, modern, and advanced agriculture, advancing the traditional agricultural methods commonly used in the region. The institute became his life’s work, and later, the central growth engine of Israeli agriculture before and after the establishment of the state of Israel, as well as a global hub of agricultural innovation.
The vision of the Volcani Institute is to develop innovative, precise, and sustainable agriculture, ensuring food security for all. This vision requires the Volcani Institute to lead and excel in agricultural research and development, exploiting biotechnology, engineering, and data sciences (i.e., bio-convergence). The institute’s activities emphasize developing human capital, innovation and entrepreneurship, environmental preservation, open spaces, and biodiversity.
Today, the Volcani Institute is comprised of six research institutes located at the main campus in Rishon LeZion: The Institute of Plant Sciences, The Institute of Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences, The Institute of Animal Sciences, The Institute of Plant Protection, The Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, and The Institute of Agricultural Engineering. Additionally, the institute has two research centers in Neve Ya’ar and Gilat, promoting Israeli agriculture in general and particularly in the geographical periphery.
The Volcani institute comprises about 180 research groups from various disciplines, leading hundreds of active research programs and publishing approximately 300 scientific articles annually in international journals. Additionally, Volcani Institute researchers supervise about 400 students for advanced degrees (M.Sc., Ph.D., and post-doctoral) and teach advanced courses in natural and agricultural sciences at higher education institutions.
The Volcani Institute’s work significantly contributes to food security in Israel and worldwide. The scientific infrastructure it provides enhances Israeli farmers’ ability to supply quality and sufficient produce for the local market and to compete in international markets. In recent years, the institute has focused on developing regenerative and sustainable agriculture, creating a proper balance between open, urban, and agricultural spaces for future generations.
As part of the activities to implement and commercialize knowledge, the Volcani Institute operates the knowledge and technology commercialization unit “Kidum”, which protects intellectual property and links research to business entities that commercialize technologies and developments and distribute them worldwide. Today, the institute has registered over 1,000 varieties and more than 500 patent families. Among the famous varieties developed are: “Galia” melon, “Barnea” olive oil, “Shulamit” and “Henoch” peanuts, “Or” mandarin, “Maya” mango, “Big Pearl” & “Rivlin” grapes, and new wheat varieties.
Volcani Institute research teams are developing unique varieties of vegetables and fruits that are resistant to changing climate conditions without compromising quality and taste. The institute’s researchers are developing innovative irrigation methods that significantly reduce water consumption and expand the use of reclaimed water. The institute is working on advanced solutions for storing and cooling agricultural produce to extend its shelf life, developing environmentally friendly pest control methods, and maximizing milk yield while ensuring animal welfare. Emphasis is placed primarily on developing advanced machinery to reduce human labor in agriculture and using databases for precise, AI-based agriculture.
The Volcani Institute is also home to the “Israel Gene Bank” in charge of collecting and preserving the genetic diversity of Israeli flora for the future development of agriculture, biotechnology, and biomedical industries. The Volcani Institute is proud to maintain a vast array of living collections (“Volcani Treasures”) of crops, including apple, pear, fig, mango, citrus, persimmon, lychee, avocado, olive, grapevine, almond, pomegranate, apricot, pecan, plum, loquat, and quince. Each collection contains dozens to hundreds of varieties, including introduced varieties, varieties developed through extensive breeding programs, rhizomes, and ancient trees.
The Volcani Institute is proud of its connection to the community through the Science-Orientated Youth Unit, which hosts thousands of students yearly and trains hundreds of teachers at the Agricultural Science Teachers Training Center.
