Salimiya inaugurates and inspects several agricultural projects in Qalqilya worth over 7.3 million shekels

Sada News - Minister of Agriculture Professor Rizq Salimiya conducted a field tour in Qalqilya Governorate to follow up and observe the status of agricultural and developmental projects and to inaugurate a number of vital projects aimed at enhancing the steadfastness of citizens and farmers.

The minister began his tour by visiting the first council for joint services – Jorat Amra villages, where he was received by the council president Mr. Luay Taim and several citizens. They discussed the needs of the area and its service and agricultural priorities.

The tour included a visit to the Palestinian dairy production farm, where the minister inaugurated a solar energy project as part of the "MAP 2" program, valued at approximately 185 thousand shekels, which contributes to reducing production costs and enhancing reliance on alternative energy.

In the village of Flamiya, the minister reviewed a project to rehabilitate a groundwater well and visited one of the projects implemented under the EU-funded agricultural assistance program, worth nearly 72 thousand shekels, which aims to support agricultural infrastructure and empower farmers.

In the village of Sayr, the minister inaugurated a water project that included the provision of components for an agricultural well and irrigation lines, valued at 1,250,000 shekels, financed by the Palestinian government. Additionally, he opened a laboratory project for producing queen bees and a line for packaging and sorting honey as part of the "MAP 2" projects, worth about 185 thousand shekels, aimed at developing the beekeeping sector and improving the quality of local products.

At the end of the tour, the minister supervised the distribution of more than 2000 olive saplings to 85 beneficiaries under the urgent response program funded by the Palestinian government, in support of farmers affected by the occupation measures.

The minister affirmed that these projects are part of the Ministry of Agriculture's efforts to enhance farmers' steadfastness, support investment in the agricultural sector, and develop infrastructure, contributing to improved production and increased income in rural areas.

Salimiya pointed out that the conditions the region is going through have significantly affected various aspects of the agricultural sector, especially regarding the availability of production inputs, including fertilizers, seeds, seedlings, pesticides, and animal feed, in addition to the food processing sector. This requires intensifying efforts to support farmers and enhance their steadfastness in facing these challenges.

He indicated that the "MAP 2" program has witnessed the signing of agreements in Qalqilya Governorate benefiting 14 beneficiaries, with a total value of approximately 4.5 million shekels, including contributions from the beneficiaries.

He also clarified that the EU-funded agricultural assistance program has approved the implementation of 31 projects in the governorate, with a total value of nearly 1.4 million shekels, of which 25 projects have been implemented so far, while the remaining projects are being completed.

The minister emphasized the necessity for farmers to document the violations they face and to communicate with the Ministry of Agriculture through its offices spread across the governorates, reaffirming the importance of meeting all the conditions and requirements set by the EU for registering damages and submitting reports and follow-ups, in preparation for their approval and benefiting from available support programs.

The Minister of Agriculture was accompanied during his tour by the assistant directors in the ministry, Engineer Amjad Salah and Mr. Ahmad Zakarneh, the Director General of the Qalqilya Agriculture Directorate, Engineer Ahmad Eid and the directorate staff, as well as the head of the Jordanian-Palestinian Company for Marketing Agricultural Products in Palestine, Mr. Tarek Abu Khizran.