Launch of the Second Group of Agricultural Project Package within 350 Projects at a Total Cost of 33 Million Dollars

SadaNews - Under the patronage and attendance of Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, the Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), launched approximately 50 agricultural projects as part of the second group of an agricultural project package that will reach around 350 projects by the end of next March, with a total value of approximately 33 million dollars. The owners of these projects will contribute 55-60% of the cost, while the donors, through the Ministry of Agriculture, will provide about 40-45%. This was announced today, Wednesday, in Ramallah, in the presence of Minister of Agriculture Prof. Rizq Suleimia, several ministers, representatives from the FAO, the European Union, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and a number of farmers and partners.

Prime Minister Mustafa began his speech by welcoming dozens of farmers who came from various governorates to sign the launch of the second group of these projects, while also thanking the representatives of the donor countries, the FAO, and the teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and various partners.

The Prime Minister stated: "Our presence here today is a message of support for the farmer at all levels, as we fully realize that agriculture in this particular situation and in our country specifically has a different meaning. It is agricultural production and products that contribute to food provision and economic development, but in the Palestinian context, agriculture has another significant dimension related to land preservation, resilience, preventing settlement expansion, and elevating our nation from a country under occupation to an independent state capable of meeting its food and agricultural product needs and reducing reliance on imports from other places."

Mustafa pointed out that the scale of destruction suffered by the agricultural sector in Gaza is very large, exceeding billions of dollars, and there are ongoing efforts to prepare for the redevelopment of this sector once the aggression on the region ceases. He affirmed the continuation of work under the leadership of President Abbas to restore life to the sector, not just through relief and humanitarian assistance, but also working towards the complete restoration of the sector including agriculture, noting that the Gaza Strip has been a key contributor to Palestinian agricultural production over many years, and we all take pride in that.

For his part, the Minister of Agriculture emphasized that the signing event for the second group of agricultural project grants under the agricultural business program funded by donor countries reflects the international community's confidence in the Palestinian government and policy, and in our society, which contributes to enhancing the steadfastness of our people, particularly our farmers.

Suleimia added that these agreements included five main components in the agricultural sector, including solar energy, water solutions, food manufacturing, programs related to improving livestock production, and meeting the needs of the Palestinian market, all of which will contribute to achieving reasonable levels of food and water security and reducing production input costs.

Suleimia pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture, in line with the government program, has worked diligently to encourage and develop the agricultural investment sector through three main components: the first is mobilizing funds to support agricultural investment, and the agreements signed today are a testament to that. The second component involves launching an agricultural insurance project and encouraging agricultural insurance companies to protect the agricultural sector and strengthen its resilience. The third component concerns agricultural lending, which is an important and essential aspect of agricultural investment, particularly as a recent financial inclusion project was signed with support from the European Union and Oxfam.

For their part, the donors expressed their support for the government's efforts to enhance the quality of services provided to our people and support agricultural sector projects, aiming to achieve food security within the Palestinian government’s vision to advance this vital sector, especially in areas targeted by confiscation, annexation, and settlement.

Farmers, for their part, thanked the government and the donors for supporting farmers through various projects that bolster agriculture in Palestine and for the farmers’ steadfastness in the face of daily assaults by the occupation and settlers on the land and the agricultural sector.