Agricultural Development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Date
2006-03-14
Authors
Nedal Zahran
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Abstract
<p>Agricultural development is seen as a crucial part of poverty reduction strategies. In the Occupied Palestinian Territories where poverty has reached record levels since the latest Israeli invasions, agricultural development can serve the Palestinian economy by lifting it from the cycle of poverty, underdevelopment and dependency. This paper devises a theoretical framework for studying the status of agricultural development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It then analyses the current situation in order to recommend specific policies for the development of the agricultural sector in the territories in a manner that will ensure equitable distribution of the benefits of growth. A set of policy recommendations relating to water management, land, markets, research and extension services, access to finance and gender related issues are suggested in light of the analysis. As is usually the case in violent conflicts, planning becomes difficult due to loss of certainty and material damage due military activity. In the Occupied Palestinian Territories this takes another weight as Israel is deliberately involved in the destruction of any Palestinian development project.<br />
However, many of these recommendations do not need Israeli consent and hence are implementable can yield the desired outcomes, provided the political will to apply them.</p>
<p>Agricultural development is seen as a crucial part of poverty reduction strategies. In the Occupied Palestinian Territories where poverty has reached record levels since the latest Israeli invasions, agricultural development can serve the Palestinian economy by lifting it from the cycle of poverty, underdevelopment and dependency. This paper devises a theoretical framework for studying the status of agricultural development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It then analyses the current situation in order to recommend specific policies for the development of the agricultural sector in the territories in a manner that will ensure equitable distribution of the benefits of growth. A set of policy recommendations relating to water management, land, markets, research and extension services, access to finance and gender related issues are suggested in light of the analysis. As is usually the case in violent conflicts, planning becomes difficult due to loss of certainty and material damage due military activity. In the Occupied Palestinian Territories this takes another weight as Israel is deliberately involved in the destruction of any Palestinian development project.<br /> However, many of these recommendations do not need Israeli consent and hence are implementable can yield the desired outcomes, provided the political will to apply them.</p>
<p>Agricultural development is seen as a crucial part of poverty reduction strategies. In the Occupied Palestinian Territories where poverty has reached record levels since the latest Israeli invasions, agricultural development can serve the Palestinian economy by lifting it from the cycle of poverty, underdevelopment and dependency. This paper devises a theoretical framework for studying the status of agricultural development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It then analyses the current situation in order to recommend specific policies for the development of the agricultural sector in the territories in a manner that will ensure equitable distribution of the benefits of growth. A set of policy recommendations relating to water management, land, markets, research and extension services, access to finance and gender related issues are suggested in light of the analysis. As is usually the case in violent conflicts, planning becomes difficult due to loss of certainty and material damage due military activity. In the Occupied Palestinian Territories this takes another weight as Israel is deliberately involved in the destruction of any Palestinian development project.<br /> However, many of these recommendations do not need Israeli consent and hence are implementable can yield the desired outcomes, provided the political will to apply them.</p>