Gaza’s Agriculture Crisis Deepens as 67.6% of Cropland Damaged. The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has severely impacted not only the livelihoods of its people but also the vital agricultural sector that sustains them.
The latest joint assessment, conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), has painted a grim picture of escalating damage to farmland and agricultural infrastructure.
As of 1 September 2024, an alarming 67.6 percent of Gaza’s cropland, covering more than 10,000 hectares, has been damaged, a significant increase from earlier assessments this year. The destruction is affecting food production, infrastructure, and livelihoods, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian and hunger crisis in the region.
The Extent of Agricultural Damage: A Devastating Reality
The latest satellite data shows an overwhelming level of damage to Gaza’s cropland, revealing the devastating effects of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza. In February 2024, 42.6 percent of Gaza’s cropland had been damaged, but by September, this figure had skyrocketed to 67.6 percent, representing more than 10,000 hectares of ruined farmland.
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The damage is not only widespread but also affects all forms of agriculture in the region, from orchards and field crops to vegetables.
Among the hardest-hit sectors are Gaza’s orchards, where 71.2 percent of the trees have been damaged. The destruction of trees is particularly significant as they are a long-term investment for farmers, providing fruit, shade, and food security for many years. Their loss represents a major setback for Gaza’s Agriculture production.
Meanwhile, 67.1 percent of the field crops have been destroyed, along with 58.5 percent of the vegetable crops. The loss of vegetables is especially concerning given their essential role in providing vital nutrients to the population.
Moreover, agricultural infrastructure, such as wells and greenhouses, has also sustained severe damage. According to the latest figures, 52.5 percent of Gaza’s Agriculture wells have been destroyed or rendered inoperable, while 44.3 percent of greenhouses have been damaged.
Greenhouses play a crucial role in Gaza’s Agriculture production, enabling farmers to grow crops in the region’s arid climate and providing a vital source of food throughout the year. The loss of these greenhouses is a devastating blow to food security in the region, further exacerbating the crisis.
In addition to farmland and infrastructure, the satellite images also reveal evidence of heavy vehicle tracks, razing, and shelling, all of which have contributed to the widespread destruction of Gaza’s Agriculture land. This relentless assault on the region’s agriculture is pushing Gaza closer to the brink of famine.
The Humanitarian Impact: Risk of Famine Looms Large
The destruction of Gaza’s Agriculture sector is having a profound impact on the daily lives of its people. More than 2 million Gazans are in urgent need of food and livelihood assistance, as access to food continues to be severely restricted.
The destruction of crops, trees, and infrastructure has drastically reduced Gaza’s food production capacity, leaving the region heavily reliant on food aid. However, as FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol emphasized, food aid alone cannot meet the daily nutritional needs of Gaza’s population.
The risk of famine in the Gaza Strip is becoming increasingly imminent. The loss of agricultural land and infrastructure has removed access to critical sources of protein and nutritious foods, leaving millions of people at risk of malnutrition and hunger.
The latest assessment, covering the period from 7 October 2023 to 1 September 2024, has reinforced concerns about the risk of famine, especially as the conflict in the Gaza continues to escalate.
The loss of livestock has further compounded the crisis. According to the latest data, almost 95 percent of Gaza’s cattle have died, and nearly all calves have been slaughtered. The sheep and goat populations have also suffered heavy losses, with only 43 percent of sheep and 37 percent of goats remaining alive.
In the poultry sector, which has traditionally been a major source of protein for Gazans, the situation is even more dire. Only 1 percent of poultry heads (around 34,000) remain alive, with commercial poultry production having largely ceased. The few remaining poultry operations are now limited to household-level production, primarily for self-consumption.
This dramatic loss of livestock and poultry has deprived the people of Gaza of critical sources of protein, further exacerbating the hunger crisis. With the agricultural sector in near-total collapse, the people of Gaza are facing an unprecedented level of food insecurity, with little hope of recovery without significant humanitarian intervention.
Challenges and Urgent Need for Agricultural Aid
The conflict in the Gaza has not only devastated its agricultural sector but has also severely hampered the delivery of humanitarian aid. FAO and other UN agencies are facing significant logistical challenges in delivering agricultural aid to Gaza due to restrictions at crossings and the collapse of law and order in the region.
Despite these challenges, FAO has managed to distribute some aid, including fodder for over 4,400 livestock holders in Rafah, Khan Younis, and Deir al-Balah, and veterinary kits to around 2,400 herder families. However, this aid is not nearly enough to meet the vast needs of Gaza’s farmers, fishers, and herders.
Farmers and agricultural workers in Gaza are risking their lives to continue food production, but the scale of the destruction is making it increasingly difficult. Without immediate and substantial aid, the agricultural sector could collapse entirely, plunging the entire population of Gaza into deeper hunger and malnutrition.
Restoring the agricultural sector in Gaza is crucial not only to prevent famine but also to preserve the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, fishers, and herders who depend on agriculture for their survival. Agricultural aid is urgently needed to restore the availability of highly nutritious food, prevent the collapse of the sector, and curb acute hunger and malnutrition, especially among children.
Rebuilding Gaza’s Agriculture infrastructure will require significant international support, including the provision of seeds, fertilizers, tools, and other essential agricultural inputs. Additionally, efforts must be made to repair damaged wells and greenhouses, restore access to water, and provide support to livestock holders who have lost their animals.
Without these critical interventions, the people of Gaza will continue to face extreme hunger and malnutrition, with long-term consequences for their health and well-being.
A Grim Future for Gaza’s Agriculture
The destruction of Gaza’s Agriculture sector is a tragedy with far-reaching consequences. The damage to crops, trees, and infrastructure has severely reduced the region’s food production capacity, leaving millions of people at risk of hunger and malnutrition. The loss of livestock and poultry has further compounded the crisis, depriving the population of critical sources of protein and nutritious foods.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating, with the risk of famine looming large. Without immediate and substantial agricultural aid, the people of Gaza will continue to suffer from extreme food insecurity, with little hope of recovery.
The international community must act swiftly to provide the necessary support to Gaza’s farmers, fishers, and herders, ensuring that they can continue to produce food and preserve their livelihoods.
The future of Gaza’s Agriculture sector remains uncertain, but with the right support, it is possible to prevent its total collapse. Restoring the agricultural sector will not only improve food security in Gaza but also provide hope for a better future for its people.
As the conflict in the Gaza continues to impact the region, the international community must prioritize humanitarian efforts to support Gaza’s Agriculture sector and prevent further suffering.
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