Page 40 - AA 2022 YEAR BOOK

Palestine

TRANSFORMING THE MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES IN OLIVE PRODUCTION

THROUGH FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS IN THE WEST BANK, PALESTINE

water more effectively enabling him to sessions, Mr Elayyan’s 30-year-old son
increase olive oil production and gain learned to substitute using pesticides
an additional profit of USD 4 000 in the with proper ploughing techniques in
season. cultivation, moreover, his wife enhanced
Additionally, the project has support- the quality of the pickles she produces
ed Elayyan and other farmers to use after being trained on processing and
organic fertilizers and olive picking ma- packaging. Like many farming families,
chines, which according to Elayyan has the FFS leveled-up their knowledge and
not only caused an increase in produc- capacities to maintain and enhance sus-
tion but also helped him and his family tainable production of olives and olive
increase the efficiency of harvesting and oil;
save their energy to perform their other This activity is implemented under the
Olive cultivation is considered one duties. regional project “Implementing the 2030
of the most fundamental aspects of the According to Elayyan, joining the FFS Agenda for water efficiency/productivity
Palestinian identity and culture. The has been a rewarding experience on and water sustainability in NENA coun-
quality of Palestinian olive oil keeps it all levels. He was able to include some tries” directly under the Regional Water
of vital importance to the economy and of his family members in the capacity- Scarcity Initiative. This project is funded
the people, supporting the livelihoods building sessions provided by the proj- by the Swedish International Develop-
of approximately 100 000 families, and ect; for instance, after attending several ment Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
employing thousands of people to ex-
tract over 19 metric tons of olive oil and Production (tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in Palestine
over 87 metric tons of pressed olives.
In Aqaba, Tubas Governorate, a repre- (2019-2020)
sentative reflection of the importance Item Value Flag Value Flag
of olives is witnessed. Like many Pales- Almonds, with shell 4091 Im 4063 Im
tinians, Elayyan Abu Arra is a farmer in Apples 937 Im 939 Im
his sixties who relies on olive cultivation Apricots 1077 Im 1074 Im
as his main source of income to support Bananas 1510 Im 1428 Im
himself and his family of ten people. Barley 15290 Im 15257 Im
Among the vast olive fields in Aqa- Beans, green 7427 Im 7491 Im
ba, Elayyan owns one with 200 olive Cabbages and other brassicas 17257 Im 17350 Im
trees. He used to cultivate and main- Carrots and turnips 5099 Im 5119 Im
tain his trees through traditional meth- Caulif owers and broccoli 30786 Im 31169 Im
ods which made him continuously face Cherries 1172 Im 1177 Im
the obstacle of inconsistent production Chick peas 1401 Im 1379 Im
and therefore income. In September Chillies and peppers, green 15701 Im 15489 Im
2019, and under The Food and Agricul- Cucumbers and gherkins 109411 Im 107120 Im
ture Organization of the United Nations Dates 7734 Im 8083 Im
(FAO)’s project titled – “Implementing Eggplants (aubergines) 49117 Im 49062 Im
the 2030 Agenda for water efficiency/ Figs 3503 Im 3335 Im
productivity and water sustainability in Garlic 1075 Im 1057 Im
NENA countries”, Elayyan joined the Grapes 37322 Im 36514 Im
Farmers Field Schools (FFS) programme Lemons and limes 14536 Im 14442 Im
that aims to support farmers by various Lentils 1354 Im 1385 Im
means including in-kind support, capac- Lettuce and chicory 1584 Im 1558 Im
ity-building, and guidance on water ef- Maize, green 10134 Im 10048 Im
ficiency and sustainability. Okra 3117 Im 3087 Im
Through his experience in the FFS, Olives 89053 Im 89263 Im
Elayyan was able to overcome some of Onions, dry 28667 Im 28717 Im
the main technical challenges he used Onions, shallots, green 2403 Im 2325 Im
to face in olive production including Oranges 4036 Im 4036 Im
the alternative bearing phenomena Peaches and nectarines 2264 Im 2276 Im
where production levels fluctuate vary Peas, green 2136 Im 2150 Im
significantly from year to year reduc- Poppy seed 1576 Im 1573 Im
ing production of olives drastically; and Potatoes 59845 Im 60084 Im
adopt more advanced olive cultivation Spinach 3994 Im 3987 Im
techniques such as supplementary ir- Strawberries 3198 Im 3180 Im
rigation, integrated pest management, Sweet potatoes 2998 Im 2961 Im
and proper pruning, Elayyan’s produc- Tomatoes 120137 Im 116683 Im
tion increased steadily by over 50 per- Vetches 7038 Im 7020 Im
cent (1 850kg compared to 1 200kg be- Watermelons 14133 Im 14227 Im
fore joining the FFS). This increase has Wheat 34365 Im 34374 Im
also reflected on Elayyan’s ability to use
Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology | Source: FAO Statistical Division 2021
38 Arab Agriculture 2022