The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Israel (Hebrew: משרד החקלאות וביטחון המזון, Misrad HaHakla'ut UBithon Hamazon) is the ministry of the Israeli government that oversees the country's agricultural industry. The ministry was originally called Ministry of Agriculture, in 1992 the title was changed to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Development Ministry, which oversaw rural development, was abolished in 1974.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister (Hebrew: שר החקלאות וביטחון המזון, Sar HaHakla'ut UBithon Hamazon; Arabic: وزير الزراعة وتطوير القرية) is the political head of the ministry, considered a relatively minor position in the Israel cabinet. Two serving Prime Ministers, Menachem Begin and Ehud Barak, also served as agriculture ministers; Begin following the death of the incumbent, and Barak following the resignation of the former minister's party from his coalition. There is occasionally a Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
Agricultural insurance in the country is provided by KANAT, the Insurance Fund for Natural Risks in Agriculture. It is jointly owned by the government and the farm marketing boards, and overseen by the Ministry.[1][2][3] The KANAT Award[he:קטגוריה:זוכי אות קנט] is given for agricultural research.[4]