Israel’s Volcani Center Agricultural Research Organization has entered into a partnership with Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences of New York to advance cutting-edge research in the agricultural and environmental sciences.
The two institutions will conduct research on critical issues confronting the environment today and its effect on agriculture, specifically the impact of climate change on crop growth.
The partnership is a result of New York State’s multi-sector trade mission to Israel in December 2017, led by Howard Zemsky, head of Empire State Development, New York’s chief economic development agency.
The trip continued efforts initiated by NY Governor Andrew Cuomo in March 2017 to strengthen economic ties with Israel, create new jobs and attract additional international business investment in New York through the Global NY initiative.
“By bringing together the tremendous research capabilities of our land grant university and the Volcani Center, we can continue our work to grow the agricultural community and improve our environmental sustainability now and for our future generations,” said NY State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball.
“As the leading agricultural research organization in Israel, Volcani Center is looking forward to further expand our work and global impact through this exciting opportunity for fruitful collaboration with the prestigious, world- class Cornell University,” said Prof. Eli Feinerman, director of the Volcani Center.
The Volcani Center, based in Rishon LeZion, is the Israeli national institute for agricultural research. It is comprised of two research stations and six institutes spanning plant sciences, animal sciences, plant protection, soil, water and environmental sciences, agricultural engineering and postharvest and food sciences.