Yoav Sarig

Sarig was born in Tel-Aviv.[http://www.agri.gov.il/he/pages/655.aspx Yoav Sarig - Volcani Center] He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Technion in 1962 and his master's degree from the Technion in 1972. Sarig was awarded his doctorate from Michigan State University in 1976.[http://spartanhistory.kora.matrix.msu.edu/files/1/4/1-4-13DC-54-S201_1976W.pdf COMMENCEMENT 1976 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY]{{cite web|title=Biosystems Engineering |url=http://www.egr.msu.edu/age/documents/news_archives/alumni/alumniNewsletter2004.pdf |issue=Fall 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328061546/http://www.egr.msu.edu/age/documents/news_archives/alumni/alumniNewsletter2004.pdf |archive-date=March 28, 2013 }} The title of his doctoral thesis was Deformation analysis of foam-encapsulated apples under impact loading.

Working for Israel's Volcani Centre, where he headed the Institute for Agricultural Engineering from 1985 to 1988, Sarig developed apparatus including a mechanical pollinator for Date Palms,[http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=8557430 Development of a ground-operated mechanical pollinator for date palms] an apparatus for separating pomegranate seeds,{{Cite news |last=Udasin |first=Sharon |date=October 19, 2011 |title=From holiday delicacy to year-round appeal |work=The Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/jewish-world/jewish-features/from-holiday-delicacy-to-year-round-appeal |access-date=March 2, 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://mail.google.com/_/scs/mail-static/_/js/k=gmail.main.en.8uTzk32xSXg.O/m=m_i,t,it/am=PiP-WsD83_uDuM4QgHbpIxX23n9-95FiZw-P_9-bACLrCuD_Zv8P4P_gvWgLBQ/rt=h/d=1/t=zcms/rs=AHGWq9A1lOeR1nQ5Gr6OXiIi5rrTTVLvvw|title=Pomegranate "sheller" made in Israel|newspaper=Manila Bulletin|date=December 21, 2011|first=Zac|last=Sarian}}[https://patents.google.com/patent/US4530278 Apparatus for separating pomegranate seeds] a mechanical cracker for Macadamia nuts and a machine for harvesting agricultural produce from the ground suitable for Pecan nuts and similar produce.[https://patents.google.com/patent/US4211062 Machine for harvesting agricultural produce]

In later years, his interest turned to non-invasive methods for evaluation of agricultural produce - to assess a product's readiness for harvest or its ripeness without harming the fruit. He pioneered the use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to evaluate the maturity of Avocado fruits, and the use of an "artificial nose" utilizing the olfactory response of fresh produce as a consumer-oriented and non-destructive quality evaluation method.[http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ap/ag/2000/00000077/00000003/art00566 Artificial Olfactory Sensing for Quality Evaluation of Fresh Produce] He also researched the use of mechanization and automation as an alternative to manual labor in agriculture, and published several articles on the topic,{{Cite web|title = Alternatives to Immigrant Labor?|url = http://cis.org/FarmMechanization-ImmigrationAlternative|website = Center for Immigration Studies|access-date = 2015-12-14}} which concluded that as long as cheap immigrant labor (some of it illegal) was available, there is little incentive for farmers to invest in labor-saving agricultural automation.{{Cite web|title = Productivity and immigration|url = http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/sep/30/20060930-095009-6408r/|website = The Washington Times|access-date = 2015-12-14}}

When China in 1992 formally established diplomatic relations with Israel and an Israeli embassy was opened in Beijing, Sarig was appointed Science and Agriculture Counsellor,{{cite book|title=Health Care in Rural China: Lessons from HeBei Province|page=xi|first=Ofra|last=Anson|publisher=Ashgate Publishing|year=2005}}{{Cite news|url = https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1996/rt9611/961117/11200007.htm|title = COMING CRISIS - DECLINING GRAIN SUPPLIES AND A RAPIDLY GROWING POPULATION THREATEN TO CREATE A HUNGRY WORLD FOR THE 21ST CENTURY|date = November 17, 1996|work = Roanoke Times}} a role he held for 4 years, from 1993 to 1997. There, Sarig proposed and oversaw the establishment of three major demonstration farms in China, which showcase Israeli agricultural technology, and several training centers which are supported by both the Chinese and Israeli ministries of agriculture. Sarig also realized the significance of conducting a variety of management courses in China, and instituted a program to deliver courses in business, marketing and business management.[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Mashav%20%E2%80%93%20International%20Development/Publications/1999/How%20Do%20You%20Say%20Business%20in%20Mandarin How Do You Say Business in Mandarin] In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the title "Honorary Professor" by China Agricultural University.{{Cite web|title=Noticias de MASHAV |url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFAES/MFAArchive/1990_1999/1999/1/Noticias%2520de%2520MASHAV |date=2009-10-18 |access-date=2015-12-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018063005/http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFAES/MFAArchive/1990_1999/1999/1/Noticias%2520de%2520MASHAV |archive-date=October 18, 2009 }}

In 2006, Sarig was awarded the Namir Prize for his work in developing the apparatus for the separation of pomegranate seeds, and the same apparatus also won the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)'s AE50 Award in 2007.[http://www.asabe.org/resource/ae5007/AE500704a.pdf ArilSystem] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129135618/http://www.asabe.org/resource/ae5007/AE500704a.pdf |date=November 29, 2010 }}

In recognition of his professional achievements, Sarig was named an ASABE Fellow in 2010.[http://www.agrimarketing.com/show_story.php?id=64028 ASABE NAMES NEW FELLOWS, Dec. 2, 2010]

Sarig was awarded several US patents. These included;

• {{US patent|4211062}} Machine for harvesting agricultural produce
• {{US patent|4530278}} Apparatus for separating pomegranate seeds
• {{US patent|4580397}} Apparatus for harvesting of jojoba beans

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Category:1937 births

Category:2013 deaths

Category:Israeli scientists

Category:Michigan State University alumni

Category:Israeli inventors

Category:Agricultural engineers