KKL-JNF has been conducting
long term ecological research (LTER) for many years in the open spaces and ecosystems it manages in Israel, together with outstanding Israeli scientists from the top universities and research institutions in the country: Tel Aviv University, the
Weizmann Institute, the Technion, Haifa University, the Agricultural Research Organization’s Volcani Center, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ben Gurion University and the Soil Erosion Research Station.
In cooperation with these institutions, KKL-JNF carries out research in soil-plant-water relations, adapting forestry methods to the effects of climate change, optimal water use (recycled and runoff), people in their environment and how people use forests, just to name a few. The research is presented in public forums and conferences in Israel and around the world.
Today, KKL-JNF supports R&D stations throughout Israel, which have transformed agriculture in Israel's outlying regions, and have made them prime exporters of quality fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more.
Here is a snapshot of KKL-JNF R&D stations:
- The Southern Arava R&D Station focuses on research relating to date cultivation and the use of brackish water for irrigation.
- The Yair R&D Station in the central Arava focuses on research relating to vegetable farming and ornamental fish.
- The Ramat Negev R&D Station conducts studies on brackish water irrigation in olive groves and developing agro-tourism.
- The Besor R&D Station in the western Negev focuses on intensive greenhouse farming to produce better crops with less pesticides.
- The Northern R&D Station is involved in economic research relating to development and marketing, including a groundbreaking study on the use of geothermal water for agriculture.
- The Central Mountain Area R&D Station focuses on cold weather farming, growing grapes and spices and grazing.
KKL-JNF forges partnerships and shares its knowledge with other organizations and countries to find groundbreaking solutions to major problems and challenges. Mexico, Argentina and Kenya are recent examples of such partnerships. Representatives from developing countries visit Israel and learn about KKL-JNF’s pioneering work up close, and KKL-JNF joins them in their home countries to implement the knowledge they have acquired. Current examples of implemented projects can be found in Kenya and Ethiopia. These partnerships are part of KKL-JNF's ethos of 'knowledge in service of humanity'.