Meir Ben-Meir was a prominent figure in Israeli public service, specifically within the realms of agriculture and water management. He served as the Director of the Agricultural Research Organization (Volcani Center) between 1988 and 1991.
Here is a summary of his career and his connection to the Volcani Center:
Leadership at the Volcani Center (1988–1991)
During his tenure as the head of the Volcani Center, Ben-Meir was known for his administrative and strategic approach. Coming from a background in agricultural economics and high-level government management, his focus was often on:
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Integrating Research with Policy: Bridging the gap between academic agricultural research and the practical needs of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture.
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Resource Management: Leveraging his expertise in water and economics to prioritize research projects that addressed Israel’s chronic water scarcity.
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Organizational Stability: Managing the center during a period of transition in Israeli agriculture, moving toward more high-tech and export-oriented solutions.
Career Highlights & Public Roles
Ben-Meir’s influence extended far beyond the walls of the Volcani Center:
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Water Commissioner: He is perhaps most famous for serving two terms as Israel’s Water Commissioner (once in the late 1970s and again in the mid-1990s/early 2000s). He was a key figure in managing Israel’s water crises and was a strong advocate for desalination and wastewater reclamation.
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Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture: He held this top executive position, giving him a bird’s-eye view of the entire industry.
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Agricultural Ideology: As a member of Kibbutz Sha’alvim, he combined practical farming experience with professional governance, viewing agricultural research as a strategic national asset.
Legacy at Volcani
In the context of the Volcani Center’s history, Meir Ben-Meir is remembered as a “heavyweight” director. His appointment was a signal of how seriously the government viewed the institute—not just as a collection of laboratories, but as a critical arm of national security and economic planning.
He passed away in 2006, leaving behind a legacy that shaped how Israel manages its most precious resources: land and water.