Prof. Eli Feinerman (born in 1946) is an esteemed agricultural economist from the Hebrew University, who previously served as the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. His areas of expertise include public policy, water resources management, and environmental economics.
Feinerman headed the institute during a challenging period from 2016 to 2021, amidst initiatives to relocate the institute to the north of the country. He fought to preserve the integrity of the institute and its human capital. Under his management, emphasis was placed on economically viable research and on strengthening ties with industry.
He served on many public committees (such as the Water Committee), and his research on water pricing and the allocation of production factors influenced the determination of agricultural policy in Israel. Feinerman promoted the concept that agriculture is not only about food production, but also about preserving open spaces and environmental values.