Land reclamation project helps Palestinian farmers protect
World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
Date: 04-26-06
Nearly one thousand people in the Palestinian villager of Nahhalin have benefited from turning reclaimed land into rich agricultural soil through the World Vision Hope for Nahhalin project. Situated just 8 kilometres from Bethlehem, and close to the Israeli border, over 60 percent of Nahlin's land had been confiscated over the years by the Israeli army to construct settlements in this strategic area.For decades, the Israeli army has been using for an ancient Ottoman law stating that land left uncultivated could be subject to confiscation by the authorities.
The Hope for Nahhalin project aims to enhance the 6,500 strong community's food security by farming the land and also decrease the risk of further expropriation by the Israeli army.
ADP Manager Nader Rahil says: 'This project is a good example of our transformational programmes that have a long-term and sustainable impact. The land reclamation will increase the farmers' income this season because their lands are more productive and fertile now. The vegetable production will certainly increase. However, the fruit and olive trees will take a few years to grow and start producing. Then the farmers' income will markedly be improved.'
Sixty-six-year-old Mahmoud Fannoun is one of the farmers hoping to benefit from the increased vegetable production. He helps support a big extended family of 10 children and 18 grandchildren and five of his sons are unemployed.
Their small piece of land is now the major source of income for the family. Mahmoud says: 'Things are very difficult for us now and even at my age I still have to work hard to support my family. I hope that my income will increase and that I would be able to pay my debts.'
He is interested in planting more vines and olive trees because there grapes and olives bring a good price on the market.
The community also participated in designing and implementing the project. Every farmer paid 25% of the reclamation cost. Within five years, the production level of the 110 reclaimed dunums will increase by 50%.
Sowers of Hope - a Montreal-based grassroots organisation raised US$70,000 to assist Nahhalin through the World Vision office in Canada.
In 2003, Sowers of Hope and World Vision partnered to help Palestinian communities where they helped raise US$120,000 to build a small maternity hospital in the East Hebron town of Bani Naim.
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