TİKA Supports Agricultural Development in Palestine

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) started a “model farm” in the Gaza Strip within the scope of supporting agricultural development.

At Gaza, in which poverty rate has reached 65% and unemployment rate has reached 46%, employment is the most important matter for reasons such as the ongoing blockade, inefficacy of infrastructure and investment, restrictions on importation and exportation with the entrance to and exit from the country.

TİKA, focusing on projects that will provide production and employment and bring income in Palestine, has cooperated with Agriculture and Environment Gaza Society, which was found in 2002 and operates on agriculture, to start a “model farm”. Within the scope of the project, 2 dunams of greenhouse was installed on 4 dunams of land and 1 dunam of the land was used as agricultural land. A barn was built in the farm that will enable sheep and goat breeding as well as a separate section for bee keeping.

It is planned to employ 10 people full-time and part-time for the whole year in the model farm. In the farm, in addition to the production of agriculture and livestock breeding, it is also intended to organize education programs and enable students of Faculty of Agriculture to study and do research. It is among the intentions to provide food aid to the families in need, using an amount of the income which the production made in the farm will bring.

In his statement, Director of Agriculture and Environment Gaza Society, Othman Siyam has stated that the project shines out not only its function as an employment and income provider but also as a research center for students and farmers as well. Siyam, stating that the model farm is important for the fight against climate change and sustainable agricultural practices as well, has expressed his thanks to the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish people for the support that has been provided.