Destroyed agricultural equipment at Khan Younis in Gaza Strip.
Rome: The establishment of a ceasefire represents a crucial initial measure for facilitating emergency relief efforts and restoring local food production in the Gaza Strip. This region, which is home to over 2 million individuals, is in dire need of assistance as a result of the significant decline in agricultural output, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The prolonged conflict lasting 15 months has resulted in significant food insecurity affecting the entire population of the Gaza Strip, pushing communities to the edge of starvation.
FAO and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) recently conducted a comprehensive geospatial assessment in Gaza from October to December 2024. The findings of this evaluation paint a concerning picture of the state of the region’s agricultural sector.
The assessment reveals that 75% of the previously cultivated fields, including olive tree orchards, have suffered significant damage or complete destruction. Furthermore, more than two-thirds of the agricultural wells, totalling 1,531, are now non-functional, severely compromising the ability to irrigate the remaining farmland.
The impact on livestock has been devastating, with a staggering 96% loss of animals. Milk production has nearly ceased, and only 1% of the poultry population remains. The fishing industry is also facing an imminent collapse, further exacerbating the already critical food insecurity situation in the region.
These findings underscore the alarming state of Gaza’s agricultural landscape, which has been severely impacted, jeopardizing the region’s food production and food security.
“Agriculture must be at the heart of emergency and recovery efforts,” FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol said. “Immediate action must combine emergency relief – food, water, and medical aid – but at the same time, restore local food production. Supporting farmers, herders and fishers now ensures fresh, nutritious food tomorrow,” she added.
Before the conflict began, agriculture accounted for approximately 10 per cent of Gaza’s economy, with more than 560,000 people relying entirely or partially on farming, livestock, or fishing for their livelihoods. In 2022, exports from Gaza’s agricultural and fisheries sectors totalled $67.3 million, primarily consisting of fresh produce like strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, sweet peppers, and fresh fish.
According to FAO, rebuilding Gaza’s agricultural sector will involve substantial expenses and could take many years, if not decades, to accomplish.
Currently, FAO distributed fodder to nearly 4,800 livestock owners throughout all governorates in the Gaza Strip and also provided veterinary kits to about 2,400 herding families. On January 23, 2025, two trucks carrying a total of 30 tonnes of barley fodder left Egypt for Gaza. Additionally, there are 70 tonnes of barley stored in Egypt, and approximately 2,200 tonnes of fodder concentrate are set to be transported into Gaza via Israel.
“The ceasefire provides a critical opportunity to address the catastrophic food crisis in Gaza by enabling emergency aid delivery and initiating early recovery efforts. But this is just the beginning of a long journey to recover from the devastation. We will need sustained peace and access to meet the immense needs and ensure no one in Gaza is left behind,” Bechdol said.
Pledging FAO’s commitment to promoting long-term food security, Bechdol said immediate recovery initiatives in the meantime will focus on the reconstruction of agrifood infrastructure, including greenhouses, wells, and solar systems, while also enhancing the provision of essential agricultural inputs to revive local food production.
FAO said it is also in the process of acquiring greenhouse plastic sheets, vaccines, energy blocks, and plastic shelters for livestock. These resources are essential for revitalizing food production, safeguarding animal health, and restoring livelihoods.
“These supportive measures aimed at bolstering resilience serve as a connection between immediate actions and more extensive developmental efforts, assisting communities in their recovery from crises, reinstating hope, and maintaining the Right to Food,” Bechdol remarked.
In the immediate future following the ceasefire, FAO is seeking $74.5 million to assist 154,100 farmers, herders, and fishermen by providing emergency agricultural supplies and technical support, dependent on the ongoing stability provided by the ceasefire and improved access and delivery conditions. Investing in agriculture will restore dignity, ensure access to nutritious food, and lay the groundwork for a resilient and self-sufficient agrifood system in Gaza.
Lifting the ban on private imports is also crucial for scaling up humanitarian efforts, reactivating local food production, and ensuring a diversified food supply to complement humanitarian aid. The resumption of commercial imports at scale is indispensable to allow rehabilitation efforts to begin during the ceasefire.
– global bihari bureau
