Agriculture in Gaza Struggles Against Collapse: 60% of Land Destroyed and Severe Seed Shortage

The agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip is undergoing a dangerous historical turning point that threatens its complete collapse, due to severe restrictions preventing the entry of seeds and essential production materials. The widespread destruction of agricultural lands during ongoing military operations has led to an unprecedented reduction in local productive capacities, putting the food security of the population at risk.

Field data indicates that the occupation's control over more than 60% of the Strip's area has led to the shrinking of the remaining agricultural land into narrow and crowded areas. These limited spaces are no longer solely designated for agriculture but are now used to establish displacement camps, creating a bitter conflict between the need for shelter and the need to secure food.

In a field tour, sources observed the reality of the remaining nurseries, where farmer Mustafa Al-Astal inspects what is left of vegetable seedlings in his small nursery with strenuous efforts. This nursery is one of only ten nurseries still struggling to survive, after the war caused the destruction of more than a hundred nurseries that formed the backbone of agricultural production in the region.

Farmers express real fears of a complete halt to work if the ban on the entry of raw materials and necessary fertilizers continues. Al-Astal warned that the absence of the simplest elements of agricultural work would inevitably lead to the closure of the few resilient agricultural facilities, meaning the loss of the only remaining source of vegetable seedlings in local markets.

For his part, farmer Sami Al-Falouji embodies the tragedy of the Palestinian farmer, as he is forced to divide his remaining land between his displacement tent and his modest agricultural crop. Al-Falouji confirmed that the last two years were the harshest ever, as the destruction of irrigation networks coincided with the prevention of entry of spare parts and equipment needed to repair what was destroyed by the bombing.

Reports from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) support these testimonies, confirming that more than 60% of agricultural land in Gaza has been completely out of service. The international organization also noted that half of the agricultural wells in the Strip have been destroyed or damaged, causing a severe water crisis that led to the drying up of vast areas of crops.

The dilemma of the 'Yellow Line' imposed by the occupation stands out as one of the most prominent obstacles to the restoration of agricultural activity, as it cuts off vast areas of the most fertile lands. This bitter reality has put farmers in direct confrontation with economic strangulation policies, amid the absence of any immediate prospect of lifting restrictions on essential agricultural production inputs.

Production in the past two years has been the most difficult due to the destruction of land and water networks and the prevention of entry of essential agricultural supplies.