GAZA, (PIC)
After the passage of one thousand days of the war of genocide waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip, the agricultural sector faces one of the most severe crises in its history, in light of widespread destruction that affected agricultural lands, infrastructure, and sources of plant, animal, and marine production.
With the continuation of the siege and the prevention on the entry of production supplies, fears are rising of the collapse of the food security system and the worsening suffering of thousands of families who depend on agriculture and fishing as a main source of income.
Systematic destruction threatening food security
The war inflicted severe damage on the agricultural sector in Gaza, where vast areas of agricultural lands were subjected to bulldozing and destruction, and irrigation networks, wells, and agricultural roads were also damaged, which led to a sharp decline in productive capacity and an increase in dependence on food aid.
The farmer Muhammad Mughari recounted his suffering after the destruction of his agricultural land east of Al-Maghazi refugee camp, which included olive and fig trees and various seasonal crops.
He confirmed that the war did not only deprive him of his source of income, but also forced him and his family to displace after the complete destruction of their home.
Poultry sector: Heavy losses and paralysis in production
For his part, the director of the Agricultural Society for Hatcheries, Poultry, and Feed, Majid Jarada, confirms that the poultry sector was subjected to major losses that included the destruction of 15 hatcheries out of 17, in addition to the destruction of about 1,500 farms and three feed factories, which led to the loss of hundreds of families’ primary source of income.
Workers in the animal production sector demand the launch of an urgent rescue plan that includes the rehabilitation of farms and hatcheries, the provision of feed and alternative energy, and the opening of crossings for the entry of production supplies to ensure the restoration of the minimum level of agricultural activity.
Fishing sector pays the price of war
In the marine sector, fishermen sustained major losses as a result of the destruction of ports, boats, and fishing equipment. The head of the Fishermen Syndicate, Nizar Ayyash, confirmed that the losses exceeded 75 million dollars, after the destruction of the Gaza and North ports and inflicting extensive damage on other ports.
The suffering of fishermen is not limited to material destruction, but continues because of the Israeli restrictions imposed on fishing, which prevent access to large areas of the sea and limit the quantities of caught fish, which increases the difficulty of living conditions.
Specialists and representatives of the agricultural and marine sectors warn that the continued deterioration of these sectors will lead to the worsening of the food security crisis and the rise of poverty and unemployment rates, demanding the international community and donor institutions to urgently intervene to save what remains of the components of production in the Gaza Strip.