Under the approved plan, the funding will support the construction and development of facilities dedicated to advancing innovation in agriculture, food technology, and environmental sciences, as part of the long-term recovery and development of northern Israel following the war. The initiative complements the Israeli government's broader plan to establish the University of Kiryat Shmona in the Galilee, which includes hundreds of millions of shekels in government investment over the coming years. As part of this process, the MIGAL Galilee Research Institute—a leading center for applied scientific research specializing in agrotechnology, environmental sciences, and biotechnology—is expected to become an integral research and development arm of the new university.
KKL-JNF believes the new center will create a direct connection between academic research, technological development, education, and industry, helping transform Kiryat Shmona and the Eastern Galilee into a regional hub for agricultural and technological innovation. The project is expected to attract new investment, create high-quality academic and scientific jobs, and encourage population growth in the region.
KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostreinsky said: "Establishing the AgriTech Innovation Center in Kiryat Shmona is a practical step toward rebuilding northern Israel. This is about much more than funding—it's about creating a genuine engine for growth in a region on the front line. KKL-JNF is committed to ensuring that the Galilee does not simply return to what it was before the war, but moves forward with stronger research, greater innovation, new employment opportunities, and thriving communities."