Local initiatives provide support for Gaza farmers as they work to rebuild their livelihoods.
In the heart of Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, Mohammad al-Halabi represents the resilience and determination of farmers striving to cultivate life amid adversity. Rebuilding from the devastation of war, he is dedicated to preserving his agricultural roots, highlighting the shared commitment to land and sustenance within the community. This story reflects not only individual perseverance but also the broader challenges facing Gaza’s agricultural landscape, emphasizing the importance of long-term recovery efforts in this tumultuous region.
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Nuseirat, Gaza Strip – Mohammad al-Halabi, 50, is once again immersed in the familiar rhythm of farming, tending to tomato and eggplant seedlings on a modest 300-square-metre plot nestled in central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp. This small garden symbolizes a reclamation of his past, where he once toiled alongside his father in the fertile fields of Jabalia, northern Gaza, a region rich with agricultural tradition.
Previously, al-Halabi managed an expansive 40,000-square-metre farm where an array of crops flourished, including strawberries, tomatoes, flowers, potatoes, and eggplants. His four children—Mahmoud, 30, Reham, 27, Issa, 24, and Omar, 20—actively participated in this family enterprise, relying on farming as their primary source of livelihood. “I have been working in agriculture since I was a child,” reflects al-Halabi. “The land is my life, and I have dedicated my existence to farming.”
However, in February 2024, al-Halabi’s agricultural world was shattered when Israeli forces bulldozed his farmland during a campaign that left Jabalia in ruins. Today, his former fields lie buried under rubble and remnants of conflict, including leftover munitions that serve as a stark reminder of the destruction. Al-Halabi acknowledges that substantial rehabilitation will be necessary before these lands can yield crops again.
Currently, he is focused on nurturing his modest plot, which he began renting following his displacement amid ongoing turmoil. “Agriculture is my profession,” al-Halabi asserts. “Even after being displaced, I couldn’t leave it. I found a small piece of land and planted whatever I could get.” Though his current output is too meager to sell, the act of seeing his plants grow offers him hope. “When I see the plant growing and producing a fruit, I feel that I can still farm,” he expresses. “The land is small, but it has potential, and hopefully, it will produce a crop.”
The impact of war on Gaza’s agriculture is severe, as data from the Government Media Office indicates. Alarmingly, over 87 percent of the region’s agricultural land has been damaged or destroyed, resulting in the loss of approximately 8,700 agricultural wells and numerous livestock farms. The once-thriving annual production of vegetables and fruits has plummeted from about 524,000 tonnes to approximately 20,000 tonnes.
Naser Deeb, director-general of Agricultural Extension at Gaza’s Ministry of Agriculture, underscores the multifaceted challenges confronting farmers. As he assesses the damage across various sites, he notes that victims of this crisis face issues that extend beyond mere cultivation. Rehabilitation efforts for soil, water sources, irrigation infrastructures, and essential farming supplies will require a concerted and systematic approach to restore agriculture in Gaza.
Despite the challenges, some farmers are setting about rebuilding through small-scale agricultural projects. Mohammad Abdul Naser Hassan al-Jadba, 40, from Sheikh Ajleen in Gaza City, exemplifies this spirit of resilience. After losing access to his farmland due to conflict restrictions, al-Jadba repurposed his efforts by renting a smaller plot in Deir el-Balah. Supported by a Belgian development fund, he has established a greenhouse and nursery specializing in tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
“Before renting the farm, my income was zero,” al-Jadba states. “Today, I can support my family, and my monthly income has reached around 3,000 shekels [,015] a month.” Importantly, he has not only regained his livelihood but has also created job opportunities, hiring two formerly unemployed individuals to assist in his greenhouse operations. “For me, this project was not just agricultural support,” al-Jadba articulates. “It was a real opportunity to return to work, regain my source of income, and become self-reliant again.”
As Gaza’s agricultural community faces the dual challenges of recovery and adaptation, stories like those of al-Halabi and al-Jadba illustrate the tenacity and hope that persist in the face of adversity.
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