Israel Boosts Support for Volunteer Agricultural Organizations
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Israel's Ministry of Agriculture is allocating 22.5 million shekels in 2026, part of a 93 million shekel program through 2029, to support volunteer agricultural organizations. The funding aims to address labor shortages, engage youth, and bolster farm resilience by covering volunteer expenses like transport, equipment, and accommodation. The government has also increased expense reimbursement to 90% and introduced new criteria favoring organizations with dedicated, long-term volunteers.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's Ministry of Agriculture will provide 22.5 million shekels in 2026 to support volunteer agricultural organizations.
- The program is part of a larger 93 million shekel initiative running until 2029.
- Funding will cover volunteer transport, equipment, training, food, and accommodation.
- The government increased expense reimbursement for these organizations to 90%.
- New criteria prioritize organizations with volunteers dedicating at least 600 hours annually.
- The initiative aims to address labor shortages and engage youth in agriculture.
Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has allocated 22.5 million shekels for 2026 to support volunteer organizations in rural areas. This initiative is part of a broader state program aiming to provide approximately 93 million shekels in funding through 2029. The program seeks to address a significant labor shortage in agriculture and foster youth engagement with the sector, thereby strengthening the resilience of farms during challenging times.
Director General Oren Lavi emphasized the strategic importance of involving young people in agricultural work, stating that the volunteer movement provides crucial support to farmers daily and during emergencies. He highlighted that state investment in volunteer structures helps attract a new generation of Israeli farmers and contributes to national food security.
The allocated funds will cover essential expenses for these non-profit organizations, including transportation for volunteers, specialized equipment, professional training, and provisions for food and accommodation. The budget also includes compensation for coordinators and operational teams.
Volunteer activities encompass a wide range of tasks, such as vegetable cultivation, orchard and citrus grove maintenance, floriculture, livestock care, and assistance at packing and sorting stations. For the first time, the government has increased the maximum reimbursement for expenses from 75% to 90% of the total cost per activity.
Additionally, new subsidy distribution criteria have been introduced, with 20% of the total points now dependent on the presence of regular volunteers who dedicate at least 600 hours annually to farm work. These changes are intended to encourage organizations to build stable teams of trained specialists for continuous support throughout the agricultural cycle.
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