Petition to Save Volcani Center

The Volcani Center plays a central role in agricultural research and related teaching in Israel. Relocation to a remote site will strongly reduce interactions with other research institutions and students, thus causing long-term damage to its reutation and role.

Don't relocate

My institution has close collaboration with the centre that was always seen as an excellent partnership between farmers and researchers. I believe it should continue as it is.

Volcani institute is a credit to Israel and needs not to be reduced in size and moved

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I take an opportunity to introduce myself. I am Dr Pankaj Sood, Professor and Head, Department of Teaching Veterinary Clincal Complex, DGCN College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, India. I am a PhD from India and had an opportunity to pursue Post Doctorate Studies under the able guidance of Dr. Uzi Moallem, Department of Dairy Cattle, Animal Science Institute, Bet Dagan, Israel, from November, 2013 to July, 2014. As a part of our research objectives we were able to have a deep insight into the subject of repeat breeding in cattle, which happens to be a burning issue in dairy cattle. The entire work was carried out on the in-house cows at Bet Degan and helped us to achieve our objectives. Our findings happened to be novel and are sure to prove of huge benefit for the scientific fraternity around the globe. A collaboration and advice from the some other scientists at Volcani and Rehovot was also utilized during our study. In totality, the research endeavours of the Scientific fraternity from Israel is not only a boon for the people and farming community of Israel, but Israel’s contributions to dairy sector and agriculture in other countries, including India, are immense. I was thinking of some International collaboration with Dr Uzi and Dr Maya, both of which are prominent figures in their respective fields, when I happened to know that the Volcani centre is being shifted to somewhere in North. I would like to highlight my concern and individual observations on the de-merits of such a move. 1. The proposed plan would be like paying twice for any particular thing. As the facilities are already established at Volcani, a new set up will result in unwanted wastage of money and resources. 2. The coloration with other people from the related fields will be cut-down thereby limiting the outcome of desirable results. More efforts and time will be wasted in achieving the set targets. In our case we had a

Experience in Western Australia has shown that attempts to move research organisations into regional areas ends up with loss of loss of research capacity.

Volcani is there to stay. Don't relocate Sometime money is not everything. Having a place that is accessible is paramount for all involved. Volcani is at the center of science and technology close to the university and institutions. How many interactions among scientists because of proximity will be lost if the Volcani is moved away. Be smart and not greedy.

I have worked with Dr. Yan Landau and Dr. Avi Perevolotsky from the Volcani Center. Both have spent sabbaticals at Utah State University. I have highest regard for their work and I support this petition.

Having clusters of research institutes fosters creativity, interaction and discovery

I had an opportunity to visit the Volcani a couple of years ago and was impressed by the collaborative environment with proximal institutions and the ideal location. It has been an honor to collaborate with Volcani Center research for the last decade, and obtain grants together.

It has been an amazing honor to work on collaborative research efforts with scientists at the Volcani Center over the last 7 years. During this time, I quickly recognized the outstanding resources that were available to the Center because of its proximity to eminent universities and companies. It would be disappointing to the scientific community to see such a wonderful organization hampered in their ability to continue providing agricultural innovation to the world.

I fully support the petition

Volcani Centre is an international reference, any interference with its outstanding performance does not demonstrate much intelligence.

I have started working with one of the scientists at the Volcani Institute and realized that the institution has been at the forefront of agricultural research in Israel. The contribution of this institute is huge to the national and international agricultural community. The current location of Volcani Institute enables close interactions among scientists from leading universities, major R&D and agri-tech companies. The relocation of this center will have huge impact on the agricultural research in Israel and may limit their abilities to fulfil research and extension mandates.

I have a high regard for the Volcani Center and wish to see it continue to prosper in the future.

This Center and its scientists have made profound advances in basic and applied science and it is one of the jewels of Israeli biology

Volcani Center is one of most recognizable name in agricultural research in the World. It is recognized for its scientific contribution. In my opinion relocation will have long lasting impact on research productivity of the Center.

The proposed upheaval will be catastrophic- it makes no sense, and will be tremendously detrimental to Israel's agriculture. Ridiculous proposal!

The Volcani Center is ideally situated near research fields and institutions of research and education. Relocating the Center would deal a severe blow to its ability to function at the highest level.

currently Chief Editor, Irrigation Science Journal