Introducing the Palestinian Farmers' Union

The Palestinian Farmers’ Union (PFU) aims to be responsive and reflective to farmers’ needs across Palestine, with a particular focus on small farmers. As such the PFU is made up of fourteen affiliated associations - eleven in the West Bank and three in Gaza - with a central office located here in Ramallah. The PFU has three main goals in being responsive and reflective of farmers’ needs:

1.    Represent and promote the rights of farmers.

2.    Encourage responsible investment and social responsibility.

3.    Support branch level development projects.

The PFU logo

Within the agricultural sector, olives are particularly important. Not only are they the most prominent and economically successful crop, but they also represent deep cultural significance. Olive trees operate as a ‘trust’ for farmers, something to be passed through generations. Olives are also a symbol of resistance as olive orchards are often planted as an attempt to prevent confiscation of land by Israel.

In our roles at the PFU we will be involved mostly in communications and proposals work. The communications role has required the overhaul of the existing website by creating new content and reviewing the appearance. In addition we have created a Twitter page for the PFU and populated a database outlining potential contacts. Our goal is to develop a communications plan that is actively involved in engaging in international advocacy on behalf of the PFU and Palestinian farmers.

On the proposals side the work has been focused on issues currently affecting Palestinian farmers, such as water management and political representation. This has involved editing proposals to ensure they are written in professional English as well as conducting research into projects using both Palestinian and international sources.

Even at this early stage, the need to plan effectively has become clear if we are to effective and successful throughout our placement. Being a new project I would say this is especially pertinent at the Palestinian Farmers’ Union.

Olive trees in the Palestinian town of Taybeh