Biological Research Efforts for Regional Development: Waste management, Aquaculture, and Mushroom Cultivation as case studies

Author(s): Dan Levanon, Gad Degani, Uri Marchaim

MIGAL – Galilee Research Institute – is a multidisciplinary research institute located in the Upper Galilee, Israel, dedicated to promoting the region's agriculture, food systems, health, environmental stewardship, and waste management. The Upper Galilee region features exceptional topographic and climatic diversity, supporting varied agricultural systems, natural habitats, and mixed rural-urban communities. It also hosts the main portion of Israel’s sources of surface water, many nature reserves. Despite this, for many years the region suffered from negative migration because of its distance from the country center and its neglection by state institutions. This review presents how the institute for multidisciplinary research located in this peripheral region, with a clear vision for regional development, acts as a catalyst for inclusive, resilient, and locally grounded sustainable economic growth of the region. Three representative biological applied research and development efforts are presented as examples of the institute's direction of action: (1) thermophilic anaerobic fermentation of dairy manure into biogas and agricultural inputs; (2) the deployment of closed-loop recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS); and (3) the cultivation of edible mushrooms on recycled agricultural and forestry residues. These case studies exemplify how scientific innovation grounded in regional needs can enhance environmental resilience, resource efficiency, rural livelihood and the region's development. Focusing specifically on agricultural and regional business development, MIGAL research institute, with a vision for the sustainable development of the Galilee peripheral region has a profound and transformative effect on the region’s economic development.