Supporting West Bank farmers

16 December 2008

Oxfam's Sarah-Eve Hammond reports from the Jordan Valley.

Also see: A better winter season in sight

Last year the West Bank received just over half the average rainfall of a normal year. The drought not only reduced the available amount of water, but it also forced herders to continue buying fodder at a time when animals normally graze in pastureland. These added costs further indebted already struggling farmers, many of whom had lost up to 95 per cent of their crops grown in open fields to the severe frost at the start of the year.

To compound matters, farmers in the West Bank face ongoing movement restrictions imposed on them by the Israeli government, making it difficult for them to access their land.

Oxfam, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (DG-ECHO) and our partner, the Economic and Social Development Center (ESDC) are providing farmers in the West Bank with new greenhouses that will protect crops from harsh weather and helping them to rehabilitate their land. Together we are also supporting herders and their animals by providing them with fodder, nutritional supplements, veterinary services and cattle management training so they can keep their cattle in good health.

Photo: Susie Shapira (www.susieshapira.com)

Here, Jamal poses proudly inside a new greenhouse in the village of Al Far'a, just north of Nablus in the West Bank. Some 1,200 people live in Al Far'a. Residents rely heavily on their land to feed their families and to earn a living.

Oxfam works with seven communities, in the Nablus and Tubas districts, supporting a total of 1,600 people. Overall, 65 greenhouses have been built and 65 open fields rehabilitated. 120 herders have also received cattle management training, fodder and mineral supplements for their animals.

Here, Jamal tends to his bean plants. Farmers like Jamal are encouraged to cultivate pulses such as beans, because they offer a healthy alternative to meat, which many families can't afford. In the open fields, thin plastic sheets are laid out to preserve the moisture of the soil, creating a better environment in which the plants can grow.

Irrigation pipes used in the open field water crops regularly. This system uses very little of the precious water so scarce in the Jordan Valley. Here, the irrigation pipes are flushed, releasing the excess water, which is then used to grow parsley and mint.

Before the pipes were installed farmers in this area had sporadic access to water and open field irrigation was a problem. These new pipes require very little water and allow farmers to harvest bigger vegetables without consuming much water because each drop goes directly to the root of the plant.

The red soil of Al Far'a village is rich and the warm winter weather is especially good for winter crops. Here, cabbages have begun to sprout.

The farmers involved in Oxfam's project will feed their families with the harvested crop. The surplus will then be sold at market.

Photo: Susie Shapira (www.susieshapira.com)

Faris and his wife Amira received two sheep some four years ago from another project funded by the international community and did a fantastic job managing the livestock. So much so that their herd grew to 25 heads. Because of their motivation and commitment and despite the global price rise of fodder the couple has managed to feed their cattle.

"Since we started to raise cattle, we are doing much better," says Amira. "We cleared our debts and we are almost self-sufficient. With the money we make out of selling calves, we have started to build a bigger house. My husband and I work well together, dividing up the tasks. He feeds the animals and takes them grazing, and I milk the sheep and make cheese and yogurt."

A few years ago Mamoun decided to start raising cattle. With 46 sheep, Mamoun's wife, pictured here, has her hands full.

"We are very satisfied with the project, which provided us with fodder and cattle management skills. One thing we learned from the cattle management training we received is the importance of vaccination. We did not do it in the past but now that we've started vaccinating our animals, I have noticed that their health is much better. We still have a problem with getting rid of the ticks and the mange but we are working hard with the help of the project's veterinary on eliminating those problems."

Also see: A better winter season in sight