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"Climate change is unifying people from the region"

2023-11-22

In the West Bank, political tensions and increasingly poor weather conditions are making farming more difficult. What needs to be done? Questions for Abbas Milhem, Executive Director of the Palestinian Farmers Union (PFU).

Smallholders likely to react particularly sensitive to high and variable fertiliser prices.© Fabiana Woywod

By Jan Rübel

Jan Rübel is author at Zeitenspiegel Reportagen, a columnist at Yahoo and writes for national newspapers and magazines. He studied History and Middle Eastern Studies.

All contributions

By Abbas Milhem

Abbas Milhem is the current Executive Director (since 2014) of the Palestinian Farmers’ Union, providing technical guidance and full supervision on project development and implementation processes. He previously worked with the Sudan Civil Society and Youth Participation (CSDY) Program as a Country Director for Sudan.

All contributions

What is the current situation of agriculture in West Bank?

Abbas Milhelm: The situation is very difficult. Settlers focus in their attacks on farmers. Currently, it is olive harvest season. 50 per cent of farmers were unable to access their farmlands to harvest their olives. And the largest agricultural sector in Palestine is olive production. It is a sector in which more than 110,000 family farmers make a living from olive oil production. Livestock farmers in the Jordan Valley and the southern Hebron region are completely denied access to pastureland. Otherwise, they need to provide three meals of fodder for their animals every day. 75 per cent of livestock farming in Palestine, i.e. meat and dairy products, is produced in these two areas to ensure food security. have been displaced from the Jordan Valley and the Ephrata area. This will have a major impact on food security in Palestine, whether in crop production, olive harvesting or livestock and animal husbandry.

Can you already estimate the actual impact on the food system?

It's challenging. The food system in Palestine will collapse soon if nothing is done. Everything we have built in the past to build, despite of all the difficulties and challenges, is at risk. In Gaza there is no functioning food system. It has collapsed, there is no more agriculture.

Do you personally own land?

Yes, I'm a farmer from the Jenin area, the son of a farmer who was the son of a farmer. I own three olive groves. My land is officially registered and it is located in area B, wich is completely under the control of the Palestinian Authority. I'm one of the tens of thousands of farmers who have not been able to harvest. There are also farmers who cannot market their vegetables in the West Bank because the roads between the towns and villages are cut off.

More than 160,000 families in Palestine live either from what they own on the olive farms or from their labour in harvesting and picking olives.

How important is agriculture for society?

In 1975, agriculture accounted for 35 per cent of the Palestinian gross domestic product (GDP). But due to land loss, agriculture's contribution has fallen to less than 4 per cent of GDP.

The food sector was already facing challenges before the current conflict. How is climate change affecting it?

Farmers are suffering from water scarcity. This is not because we don't have enough water resources. Studies show that Palestine has enough and sufficient water resources for the coming 50 generations. But due to restricted access to water resources that are controlled by the Israeli side, we have water scarcity. But due to the limited access to water resources controlled by the Israeli side, we are suffering from water shortages.

That is why we at the Palestinian Farmers Union are trying to develop new techniques for efficient water utilisation that enable better production with less water consumption. This is what we call smart agriculture.

Climate change poses a major challenge. Large areas of agricultural land in the West Bank are not irrigated as they are dependent on rainfall.

And there is less?

The average rainfall in Palestine have been deteriorating year by year over the last 20 years. Take last winter, for example: A winter in Palestine lasts 90 days. The first 40 days are important and crucial for the growth of the olive trees - they need cold temperatures and at least 200 ml of rainfall to bear fruit. Last winter, there was almost no rain in the first 40 days in Palestine. As a result, this year's olive harvest was only 30 per cent of the normal annual production. The PFU has distributed 55 tonnes of seed to livestock farmers in the Jordan Valley so that they can cultivate the land and then harvest the barley and wheat as fodder for their animals. As there was too little rain in the winter, these plants did not grow to the point where they could be harvested - and therefore only served as pasture for the animals.

So how can you react to that?

We are expanding our smart agriculture techniques. Last year, for example, we were able to develop twelve income-generating projects based on hydroponic production

The use of hydroponic techniques can save up to 85 per cent of the water needed for irrigation, as the water is constantly rotated and filtered.

In addition, the use of chemicals is reduced by 90 per cent as no soil is used. Another technique that we have developed in co-operation with high-tech companies in Palestine is called the Auto-Farm system.

What is that?

The Auto-Farm system is based on calculating the exact amount of water needed for irrigation to avoid over-irrigation and the flood irrigation, using only the exact amount, reducing the water needed for irrigation by 75 per cent. And it decreased the level of using chemical in agricultural production by over 40%. In addition, the use of chemicals in agricultural production has been reduced by over 40 per cent. We distribute climate-resilient seeds that are better able to cope with drought and water shortages.

When we talk about smart agriculture and research, would that be also an opportunity for cooperations with Israeli players?

We try to benefit from all experiences. We as a union, we have established a regional network in the Arab world among farmers' organizations and unions in the Mediterranean area, including Spain, where we held our conference on climate change in Barcelona under the title “Middle East Farmers Facing Climate Change”. As far as the Israeli side is concerned, co-operation is difficult due to the political situation. However, I would like to give an example of an Israeli irrigation system called "Mitvim". It is a system based on automatic irrigation of farmland. This system is difficult to implement in the West Bank due to its high cost. Furthermore, it is not possible for maintenance personnel to come from Israel, as it requires special coordination with the army. This has encouraged high-tech companies in Palestine to develop alternative systems that are available in Palestine.

What can international cooperation do?

The awareness of the impact of climate change is not yet very high, not only in Palestine but in the entire region. Farmers are key players and their awareness of this issue is also low.

Therefore, the first thing we need to do is to raise awareness of climate change adaptation. Climate change is unifying people from the region to work on adaptation.

But this is not something that can happen in one day or in one year. It is an ongoing process. It is a learning process where you can accumulate the results and achievements until you reach a level where you can say that agricultural practices in Palestine and hopefully in the region are truly climate resilient.

And what is needed from the world?

In co-operation with our universities, we need to enable our farmers to do more research - and the universities in turn exchange their experience with universities abroad to develop techniques for water management and efficient water use. We have 20,000 members who belong to the Farmers Union. And for 2024, we together are working on what we call “Climate Action Network for Palestine”. The world must support farmers in adapting to climate change.

Are the current conditions an obstacle or an opportunity for the transformation of the food system?

Opportunities are now in the short run. Producing food is very important. Hence, enhancing the access of farmers on their land in these days would be a first step. And hopefully, for the first time in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there will be serious talks about real peace that works for everyone, for Palestine and Israel. A peace that is fair and just for both sides. This conflict should not last forever.

Where do you see Palestinian agriculture in ten years?

I am optimistic.

The future is for peace.

Farmers will have better access to their farmland and water resources and agricultural land will expand. Agriculture will then produce more food and a functioning food system will be established.

Back to overview

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(c) Christof Krackhardt/Brot für die Welt

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(c) Christoph Püschner/Brot für die Welt

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Think20 Policy Brief centres on Agroecology

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A Contribution by Fairtrade Germany

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Sowing change

A Contribution by Brot für die Welt

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New campaign for women: "Poverty is sexist"

Interview with Stephan Exo-Kreischer

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A fresh opportunity

Interview with Lutz Hartmann

By leasing a three hundred hectare fruit plantation in Ethiopia, Lutz Hartmann has realised a long-cherished dream: to run his own business in Africa. Now he has a personal interest in the issue of Africa’s development.

Building our food systems back better

A contribution by Jes Weigelt and Alexander Müller

What is required to make food systems provide sufficient, healthy food while not harming the planet? How should food security be maintained given the threat posed by climate change? Our authors look at some aspects of tomorrow’s food systems against the backdrop of the corona crisis.

Africa's face of agriculture is female

A contribution by Beatrice Gakuba (AWAN-AFRIKA)

Africa has a huge opportunity to make agriculture its economic driver. However, the potential for this is far from being made exhaustive use of, one reason being that women face considerable difficulties in their economic activities. The organisation AWAN Afrika seeks to change this state of affairs.

Human Rights, Land and Rural Development

A contribution by Michael Windfuhr (German Institute for Human Rights)

Land rights are no longer governed by the law of the strongest. That is what the international community has agreed to. Governments and private companies have a duty to respect human rights and avoid corruption.

Land is Crucial for Development

A contribution by Roselyn Korleh and M. Sahr Nouwah (WHH)

The Liberian town of Kinjor is a picture-book example for what happens, if land rights aren’t protected, and it illustrates how to move forward from there. The keyword: Multi-Actor Partnership

Land Rights, Gender and Soil Fertility in Benin

A contribution by Dr. Karin Gaesing and Prof. Dr. Frank Bliss (INEF)

Especially in densely populated areas, land pressure leads to overexploitation of available land and a lack of conservation measures. The West African country of Benin, with heavily depleted soils in many places, is no exception.

Land Rights for Secure Livelihoods: My Land is My Life

Three quarters of the world's population do not have secure land rights, which hinders investment and innovation. The project "Improvement of Livelihood and Food Security" supports smallholder farmers in acquiring land.

A project of GIZ

Strenghtening Farmers' Rights with Soft Laws

A Contribution by Welthungerhilfe

How the UN Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT) contribute to fairer and more secure land access.

World Soil Conference ends with resolutions on drought management and land restoration

A contribution by GIZ

At the UNCCD COP15, the nearly 200 Parties met in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. A key goal is to halt the loss of fertile soils by 2030.

For a just transition to a sustainable planet we must secure land rights

A contribution by TMG

At the UNCCD COP15, the Töpfer Müller Gaßner Think Tank (TMG) hosted four side events. The agenda of the kick-off event included discussions for the Human Rights and Land Navigator.

Priscilla Impraim and her chocolate business

A contribution by Jan Rübel

Priscilla Impraim is one of the first women in Ghana to enter the chocolate business. Despite some hurdles, she founded the company Ab Ovo Confectionery Limited in 2006 with currently six permanent employees and 25 seasonal employees.

Towards Climate Justice: Securing Women’s Land Rights for a Resilient Tomorrow

A Contribution by TMG

In the midst of global climate discussions, a resounding call emerges: Women's land rights must be the cornerstone of our climate actions. They're not just pieces of the puzzle; they form the foundation for true climate resilience. TMG Think Tank for Sustainability reports from the first African Climate Summit.

“Corona exposes the weaknesses of our nutritional systems"

Interview with Arif Husain (WFP)

The United Nations plan a Food Systems Summit - and now the Corona-Virus is dictating the agenda. The Chief Economist of the UN World Food Programme takes stock of the current situation: a conversation with Jan Rübel about pandemics, about the chromosomes of development - and about the conflicts that inhibit them.

5 questions to F. Patterson: Why is there more hunger?

Interview with Fraser Patterson

Every year in October, the "Welthungerhilfe" aid organisation, with the Irish "Concern Worldwide" NGO, publishes the Global Hunger Index, a tool with which the hunger situation is recorded. What are the trends - and what needs to be done?

Resilience in times of crisis

Yemen is currently experiencing one of the worst disasters, due to war, hunger and disease outbreaks. The GIZ is locally engaged to improve the nutrition and resilience of Yemenites.

A project of GIZ

Leveraging investment impacts

A contribution by Heike Baumüller, Christine Husmann, Julia Machovsky-Smid, Oliver Kirui, Justice Tambo

Any initiative whose aim is to reduce poverty in Africa should focus first on agriculture. But what kind of investment has the greatest impact? The use of scientific criteria provides some answers.

Do we have to dare a new food system?

A contribution by Dr. Felix zu Löwenstein (BÖLW)

Lack of seasonal workers and virus explosion in slaughterhouses, rising vegetable prices, climate crisis – all this demonstrates: Our food system is highly productive and (at least for the rich inhabitants of planet earth) guarantees an unprecedented rich and steady food supply - but it is not resilient.

Global responsibility: Tackling hunger is the only way forward

A contribution by Lisa Hücking (WHH)

Chancellor Merkel has begun an ambitious European political programme: Striving for compromise in budget negotiations, an orderly Brexit as well as an appropriate response to the corona crisis. Unfortunately, one of her positions that she previously held is nowhere to be found: Africa's prosperity is in the interest of Europe.

"Without peace, there will be no development"

Interview with Karina Mroß (DIE)

What contribution does development cooperation make to conflict prevention? What can it do for sustainable peace? Political scientist Karina Mroß talks to Raphael Thelen about post-conflict societies and their chances for peaceful development.

Innovation Challenge 2021

Competition for ideas by BMZ

Out of 40 consortia that applied from all over the world, 14 were invited to present their innovative concept on agroecological approaches in the form of an online pitch and to face the questions of an international jury of experts. Find out which six semi-finalists were selected by the jury and what happens next in this article.

Feminist development policy – A new beginning?

An Interview by Journalist Jan Rübel

Cameroonian gender and peace activist Marthe Wandou on the role of women and girls in development policy – then and in the future.

From reaction to action

A contribtion by GIZ

A Year of Multiple Crises: Russian war against Ukraine, extreme weather events, high prices for energy and fertilizer, food crisis had severe implications for food security and agriculture globally and especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Transformation of the food systems is needed.

How the War against Ukraine Destabilizes Global Grain Markets

A Contribution by GIZ

Since early February 2022, two of the biggest grain and oilseed exporters have been at war. An overview, which countries are affected most severely by the destabilized grain markets, and what comes next.

The Black Sea Breadbasket in Crisis: Facts and Figures

An infographic by ONEWORLD no Hunger

Rising food and gas prices, physical destruction and supply chain disruptions: Why the Black Sea region matters and how the war in Ukraine affects global food security.

What the Middle East conflict means for the children in Gaza

An Interview by Jan Rübel

The Gaza Strip depends heavily on humanitarian aid, more than ever with the current war. Gaza population is very young: Half of them are children. What is their situation on the ground? Questions for Lucia Elmi, Unicef Special Representative to the State of Palestine.

Where can international cooperation in Gaza come in, Ms. Asseburg?

An Interview by Jan Rübel

The armed conflict between Israeli forces and the Hamas is escalating. What does this mean for a Gaza, region that was already heavily dependent on external aid? Questions for Dr. Muriel Asseburg, Senior Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin.

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"Climate change is unifying people from the region"

By Jan Rübel

By Abbas Milhem

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