Harnessing Palestinian Aspirations: Stories from an FAO-Canada Partnership

Economic growth and food security in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is strongly associated with agricultural and rural development, as well as access to economic opportunities and decent work. Currently operating at roughly one quarter of its potential, the agricultural sector remains one of the most resilient strategic sectors in the Palestinian economy. However, without optimal use and proper management of land and water resources and market opportunities, this sector cannot achieve its potential.

Under its project "Supporting Economic Growth Through Optimized Agricultural Value Chains in the West Bank," FAO, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and with financial support from the Government of Canada, is working to improve sustainable income and labour productivity in agribusiness value chains, in particular through increasing access to sustainable land and water resources through rehabilitation of roads, wells, and other agricultural infrastructure; introducing innovative and climate-smart practices to small-scale farmers; establishing new as well as upgrading existing post-harvesting facilities; and strengthening managerial and marketing capacities of farmers' and women's cooperatives.