(1942–2017) Researcher, leader, and trailblazer in Israeli agricultural research
Prof. Eli Putievsky was one of the central and influential figures at the Agricultural Research Organization (Volcani Institute), and one of the shapers of the path of applied research in Israel. His work combined scientific excellence, systemic leadership, and long-term vision, while constantly connecting science, agriculture, and field needs.
Research in Spice, Medicinal, and Aromatic Plants In his research, he focused on spice and aromatic plants based on the concept that views them as agricultural crops with agronomic, economic, and cultural potential. His work contributed to the understanding of the biology and ecology of various species, the development of cultivation methods, and the establishment of the spice industry in Israel as a professional sector with a presence in domestic and global markets.
Neve Ya’ar – Transformation from Local to Institutional As the director of the Neve Ya’ar Research Center, Prof. Putievsky led a strategic move in which the center transformed from the status of a “regional experiment station” to a full-fledged research institute within the Agricultural Research Organization. This process included expanding research areas, strengthening scientific infrastructures, recruiting and training researchers, and establishing Neve Ya’ar as a leading knowledge center for agricultural research in northern Israel and for Mediterranean agriculture.
Research in Spice, Medicinal, and Aromatic Plants (Note: This section appeared twice in the original Hebrew text) In his research, he focused on spice and aromatic plants based on the concept that views them as agricultural crops with agronomic, economic, and cultural potential. His work contributed to the understanding of the biology and ecology of various species, the development of cultivation methods, and the establishment of the spice industry in Israel as a professional sector with a presence in domestic and global markets.
Head of the Agricultural Research Organization – Volcani Institute From 1999 to 2007, he served as Head of the Agricultural Research Organization (Volcani Institute). During this period, he led a comprehensive organizational reform designed to streamline the management and functioning of the system, strengthen internal collaborations, and adapt the research to the agricultural challenges of the 21st century. Within this framework, he established the “Kidum” unit, which enabled for the first time systematic application and commercialization of research products. The unit created a bridge between scientific knowledge and farmers, industry, and entrepreneurs, and laid the foundation for the development of research-based agricultural innovation.
Legacy Prof. Eli Putievsky passed away in 2017, but his contribution is evident to this day – in the status of Neve Ya’ar as a leading research institute, in the organizational culture of the Volcani Institute, and in the perception of agricultural research as a driving force for development, innovation, and national agricultural resilience.