The Palestinian Farmer: Production Analysis & Challenges Study Summary 1. Introduction The agricultural sector is an important driver in the Palestinian economy since it creates job opportunities in the local Palestinian market. As of 2010, this sector was employing 11.5% of the Palestinian labor force.1 The value of Palestinian agricultural production was estimated at $1,295 million for the year 2011 (70% in the West Bank, and 30% in the Gaza Strip).2 In regards to agricultural trade, the value of agricultural exports grew by 32% from 2011 to reach $56.7 million in the year 2013, contributing to 6.3% of the total value of Palestinian exports3. In addition, agriculture plays a major role in the conservation of the environment, and supplies other sectors with inputs. 2. Methodology and sample characteristics The research team has designed a methodology for determining the number of farmers to be targeted during the survey. The first selection phase included the choice of farmers based on the targeted crop, and the second included the geographical location among governorates. 2.1 Geographical distribution The survey targeted 2,019 farmer distributed among the Palestinian governorates of the West Bank. (Table 1 and Map 1) Governorate Number Percentage (%) Jenin 426 21.1% Tubas 228 11.3% Tulkarem 264 13.1% Nablus 220 10.9% Qalqilya 138 6.8% Salfit 37 1.8% Ramallah & Al Bireh 123 6.1% Jericho 227 11.2% Jerusalem 51 2.5% Bethlehem 70 3.5% Hebron 235 11.6% Total 910,2 %,0000 Table (1): Number of surveyed farmers by governorate 1 PCBS (2012). Agricultural Census – 2010. 2 PCBS (2012). National Accounts Report – 2012. 3 PCBS (2013). International Trade, unpublished data. Map )1(: Localities covered during farmers’ baseline survey 2.2 Labor in farms Survey results indicate that the average number of workers in a farm in the West Bank is 11.3, of which 69% are male and 31% are female. Furthermore, the 75% are paid workers (formal), while the rest are unpaid (informal) since many of them are family members and owners of farms. (Graph 1) 11.4 12 10 8.5 7.8 8 5.9 Female 6 Male 3.5 Total 4 2.6 2.8 1.9 2 0.9 0 Total Paid Unpaid Graph (1): Average number of workers in farms by gender 2.3 Farmer’s average monthly income Based on the project survey’s results, the farmer’s (owners) average monthly income was 2918 NIS. It was also found that 85% of the farmers’ household monthly income is generated from agriculture work at the farm; reaching up to 2480 NIS from total household income. 2.4 Membership in agricultural cooperatives and associations Agricultural cooperatives and associations have been established in order to respond to farmers’ needs, and support the different processes of agricultural production by acting as advisory councils on one hand, and reducing the cost of inputs through the purchase of shared agricultural machinery. Despite their benefits, results show that only 33% of surveyed farmers are members of agricultural cooperatives and associations4. 4 Photo courtesy to ARIJ 3. Agricultural Production 3.2 Cultivated areas, productivity, and the calendar of agro crops Vegetables Vegetables are considered essential elements of the nutritional diet prevalent among Palestinian households. In the West Bank, only 1.21% of total productive agricultural land in the West Bank (including vegetables, fruit trees, olives, and field crops) is utilized for the cultivation of targeted vegetables5. Despite this, the production of vegetables represents 65% of the total production of these crops. This is mainly due to the high productivity of vegetables per dunum in comparison with other crops. Survey results estimate that the average productivity of vegetables is 5,184kg/dunum, with a total annual production of 345,824 tons. Up to 59% of vegetables production takes place during the six months of February, March, April, May, June, and December. (Graph 2) 14.0% 13.0% 10.8% 10.2% 12.0% 9.4% 10.0% 7.8% 8.3% 6.7% 7.1% 6.8% 7.1% 7.1% 8.0% 5.5% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% Graph (9): The distribution of vegetables’ production by month Following is a summary of the production analysis for all vegetable products targeted in the survey: Tomatoes: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 11,999 dunum of agricultural land has been utilized for the cultivation of tomatoes in the West Bank in the year 2012/2013. Accordingly, tomatoes constitute 9.1% of total agricultural land cultivated in the 5 Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (2013). Cultivated area of targeted crops 2012/2013. Unpublished data. West Bank6. Furthermore, project survey results indicate that the annual total production of tomatoes is estimated at 124,445 tons in the West Bank, representing 23% of total production of all targeted crops. Jenin governorate is the highest producer of tomatoes, constituting 35% of total production, followed by Tubas governorate (24%), and Hebron governorate (12%). Cucumbers: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 24,894 dunum of agricultural land has been utilized for the cultivation of cucumbers in the West Bank in the year 2012/2013. Accordingly, cucumbers constitute 18.9% of total agricultural land cultivated in the West Bank7. Furthermore, the Project survey results indicate that the annual total production of cucumbers is estimated at 128,304 tons in the West Bank, representing 24% of total production of all targeted crops. Jenin governorate is the highest producer of cucumbers, constituting 36% of total production, followed by Tubas governorate (23%), and Tulkarem governorate (18%). Eggplants: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 8,365 dunum of agricultural land has been utilized for the cultivation of eggplants in the West Bank in the year 2012/2013. Accordingly, eggplants constitute 6.4% of total agricultural land cultivated in the West Bank8. Furthermore, the project survey results indicate that the annual total production of eggplants is estimated at 44,473 tons in the West Bank, representing 8% of total production of all targeted crops. Jericho governorate is the highest producer of eggplants, constituting 46% of total production, followed by Tubas governorate (19%), and Jenin governorate (16%). Squash: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 17,239 dunum of agricultural land has been utilized for the cultivation of squash in the West Bank in the year 2012/2013. Accordingly, squash constitutes 13.1% of total agricultural land cultivated in the West Bank9. Furthermore, the project survey results indicate that the annual total production of squash is estimated at 32,768 tons in the West Bank, representing 6% of total production of all targeted crops. Jericho governorate is the highest producer of squash, constituting 35% of total production, followed by Tubas governorate (32%), and Hebron governorate (15%). Paprika: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 1,512 dunum of agricultural land has been utilized for the cultivation of paprika in the West Bank in the year 2012/2013. Accordingly, paprika constitutes less than 1.1% of total agricultural land cultivated in 6 Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (2013). Cultivated area of targeted crops 2012/2013. Unpublished data. 7 Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (2013). Cultivated area of targeted crops 2012/2013. Unpublished data. 8 Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (2013). Cultivated area of targeted crops 2012/2013. Unpublished data. 9 Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (2013). Cultivated area of targeted crops 2012/2013. Unpublished data. the West Bank10. Furthermore, the project survey results indicate that the annual total production of paprika is estimated at 9,487tons in the West Bank, representing 2% of total production of all targeted crops. Jericho governorate is the highest producer of paprika, constituting 30% of total production, followed by Tulkarem governorate (28%), and Jenin governorate (19%). Green Beans: According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 2,694 dunum of agricultural land has been utilized for the cultivation of green beans in the West Bank in the year 2012/2013. Accordingly, green beans constitute less than 2% of total agricultural land cultivated in the West Bank11. Furthermore, the project survey results indicate that the annual total production of green beans is estimated at 6,348 tons in the West Bank, representing 1% of total production of all targeted crops. Jericho governorate is the highest producer of green beans, constituting 36% of total production, followed by Tubas governorate (18%), and Tulkarem governorate (15%). Fruit Trees In the West Bank, only 9.8% of total agricultural land of targeted crops (including vegetables, fruit trees, olives, and field crops) is utilized for the cultivation of fruitful fruit trees in the West Bank12. The production of fruit trees represents 16% of the total production of these crops. The project survey results estimate that the average productivity of fruit trees is 1,048kg/dunum, with a total annual production of 84,840 tons. 66% of fruit production takes place during the 4 months of August, September, October, and November. (Graph 3) 30% 24% 25% 18% 20% 16% 15% 8% 10% 5% 4% 4% 5% 4% 4% 3% 4% 5% 0% Graph (3): The distribution of fruits’ production by month Following is a summary of the production analysis for all vegetable products targeted in the the project survey: Citrus Fruits: 10 Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (2013). Cultivated area of targeted crops 2012/2013. Unpublished data. 11 Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (2013). Cultivated area of targeted crops 2012/2013. Unpublished data. 12 Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (2013). Cultivated area of targeted crops 2012/2013. Unpublished data. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 9,831 dunum of agricultural land has been utilized for the cultivation of citrus fruits in the West Bank in the year 2012/2013.