he northern Negev is Israel's major reserve of land and water resources for future agricultural development. It comprises several local councils: Merchavim, Azata, Eshkol, Bene Shimon and Shaar HaNegev. The Negev council, which represents 112 agricultural settlements, has established Molcho Center to aid in the research and development of subjects important to Negev farmers. It was founded in memory of Chaim Molcho, a member of Kibbutz Urim and one of the major figures in Israeli agriculture - particularly Negev agriculture.

The Center is located at Gilat Research Center, an Agricultural Research Organization of the Ministry of Agriculture. This is beneficial both because of Gilat's geographical location in the Negev, and because of its existing research facilities.

The program was approved and adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture and The Agricultural Center.

Aims

• Establishment of a computerized center of agricultural information to be freely available to farmers and other interested parties.
• Establishment of a fellowship to grant scholarships to Negev residents, for advanced studies in agricultural subjects.
• Establishment of a research unit to study advanced agricultural methods in the light of "Halachah" (Jewish religious law).