Friday, March 20, 2015

Flood damage in Jenin

We made a PFU field visit to Jenin and met with several farmers from the region. The farmers discussed with us the damage caused by flooding as well as farming under occupation.



Many farmers reported a complete loss of their winter crops. This obviously has huge implications for their livelihood as well as the local population dependent on agriculture for food security. The unfeasibility of farming on the surrounding hills exacerbates the problem of flooding. As a result, members voiced their desire for the PFU to provide the equipment necessary to farm mountainous land that offers more protection for crops.





Additionally, the location of some farms within Area C means any agricultural structures can face demolition. One farmer commented that he felt pressured to plant crops despite knowing they would be destroyed by the weather as people would comment on his lack of cultivation with the suggestion that he is not resisting occupation and land seizures by planting on his land. Such a comment highlights the burden farmers feel within their communities: a burden resulting directly from the effects of occupation on daily life and liberties.


After meeting with farmers in the field we visited a food production centre. The women who operate the centre highlighted the frustration of a lack of access to markets to sell their goods. Equally, local farmers struggle to make a profit on the -seeds they harvest.

Agriculture is a vital element of the Palestinian economy. As such, the implications of crop destruction or inaccessible markets go deeper than impacting on the individual and effect the health of the Palestinian economy. Each issue can be linked to the occupation as farmers are prevented from developing infrastructure to combat bad weather. Equally, market access is controlled and limited by the occupation. Therefore, I believe it is vital that the PFU continues its work disseminating equipment and training to create a level of crop security for farmers that they currently do not enjoy. Similarly, cooperatives and marketing programmes enable farmers to profit from their produce and maintain a livelihood.

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