Academics visit Israel to discuss the uses of data in agriculture

Posted 15 June 2022

Academics from Harper Adams University and the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) Volcani Centre in a citrus orchard near Ramat Yishay, Israel. The group visited the orchard to better understand the use of automated Mediterranean fruit fly traps in managing that pest.

Academics from Harper Adams University have visited counterparts in Israel to consider how data can be used in agricultural processes.

The academics from Harper Adams met with more than 25 Israeli scientists and innovators at the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) Volcani Centre near Tel Aviv, Israel.

The Israeli researchers, mainly from ARO, worked with their British counterparts on a Data-Driven Agricultural Decision Making workshop during their visit.

The delegation also made a field trip to the ARO model farm at Neve-Ya’ar in Israel to better understand how data is being used to make Israeli farms more sustainable.

The trip was supported was supported by a Wohl Clean Growth Alliance grant from the British Council.

Harper Adams Elizabeth Creak Chair of Agri-Economics, Professor James Lowenberg-DeBoer, said: “During this visit the teams from Harper Adams and the Agri-EPI Centre met with our Israeli colleagues, with a specific focus on data analysis and interpretation.

“Researchers from each country presented  their work and examined the challenges that can be faced collecting and making decisions based on agricultural data.

“We looked at how we can work together more closely, and summarise the research challenges jointly identified for a peer-reviewed journal.

“We will also look at areas for collaboration and potential research ideas will could lead to joint Israeli-UK research projects which would develop agricultural data innovations with worldwide commercial application.”

Professor Lowenberg-DeBoer was joined on the visit by Professor of Applied Animal Behaviour Mark Rutter, Elizabeth Creak Chair in Agri-Tech Economic Modelling Professor Karl Behrendt, Senior Lecturers Dr Sven Peets and Sam Wane, Senior Lecturer in Statistics & Agri Data Analysis Dr Edwin Harris, and International Business Development Manager at Agri-EPI Centre Jane Lycett.

It is hoped that a reciprocal visit from the Israeli academics will take place at Harper Adams University this September.