Peacebuilding through Agricultural Partnerships

Last fall, Near East Foundation (NEF), was in the installation phase of a water management project in the West Bank to address water scarcity and increase agricultural productivity.

Five advanced systems have been installed, with an additional three set to move forward by the end of September. For the Palestinian farmers who oversee these farms, this technological upgrade will mean an increase in profit of at least 20 percent and a 40 percent reduction in the amount of water used.

Mohammad, a new owner of a smart irrigation system in Jenin, commented on its efficiency, “I will be able to reduce water usage, fertilizers, and the number of workers needed. I will also be able to irrigate my farm any time during the day or night.” With the money that he saves, Mohammad plans to expand his operations.

Restricted access to land, water, agricultural inputs, and markets has harmed the agricultural sector and the welfare of Palestinian farmers. Cut off from new agricultural technologies, Palestinian farmers rely heavily on traditional practices, making it difficult to increase their income. To address this gap, NEF is pursuing improvements in productivity and market access through the adoption of improved technologies. NEF’s Country Director in the West Bank, Salah Abu Eisheh remarked, “This project will positively affect Palestinian intensive agriculture and give opportunities to Palestinian farmers to produce high-quality products and push them to a level where they can compete in the global market.”

NEF’s efforts are a part of a public-private partnership between NEF, USAID, Netafim, and the Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII). This partnership facilitates the adoption and use of advanced farming technology to overcome water scarcity in the Palestinian agricultural sector while simultaneously increasing farmers’ access to capital. Working with the Palestinian Center for Agriculture Research and Development (PCARD), three local banks, and the Palestinian Vegetable Council, the action is structured to increase farmers’ understanding and access to credit through a loan guarantee fund administered by MEII, and through other local financial institutions.

This project builds on NEF’s nearly 25 years of work in the Palestinian Territories. With the support of donors such as the UNDP, WFP, UNICEF, USAID, and MEPI, NEF works in tandem with local and international organizations to implement a range of projects in education, agriculture, environment, and youth development. With an office in Nablus, NEF’s locally-based program staff—all from the West Bank—includes technical specialists in enterprise, community, and agricultural development.