Project Overview

Build Community Resilience and Improve Livelihoods and Food Security through Safe Agriculture Practices in West Bank, Palestine (PARC).

Dr.Tawfiq Qubbaj

 

The PARC is a three-year project (2022-2025) funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and Islamic Relief France (SIF), and implemented by An-Najah National University www.najah.edu (Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine & Energy, Water and Food Security Research Center ) in partnership with the Palestinian Economic and Social Development Center (ESDC), and in coordination with the Palestinian Standards Institute (PSI) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). Its goal is to improve the safety and quality of highly consumed agricultural fresh vegetables in Palestine by supporting small-scale Palestinian farmers’ adoption of the Palestinian Good Agricultural Practices (PAL.G.A.P).

The Palestinian Good Agricultural Practices system (PAL.G.A.P) is a quality agricultural system based on international good agricultural practices and adapted to fit the Palestinian context and needs. The project will enhance farmers' adoption of PAL.G.A.P standards and increase their capacity to produce and market agricultural food products that meet PAL.G.A.P requirements. Adopting these standards will produce safer and higher-quality crops, increase farmers' income, and enable consumers to obtain safe, high-quality products. Additionally, the development and implementation of PAL.G.A.P systems will reduce risks associated with (i) food safety and quality, (ii) environmental impacts, and (iii) General public health and workers’ health and safety. Ultimately, it will create demand for high-quality, environmentally friendly agricultural inputs and promote sustainable agricultural production and consumption. The project targets 400 farmers, including 120 women, 6 farmer cooperative associations (including 3 women-led associations), and 20 graduates from agricultural colleges employed by the project and the joined An-Najah University project’s team.

The project also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which An-Najah National University is committed to pursuing by positively impacting the environment through teaching and learning, innovative research, community participation, operational sustainability, and partnerships. The project will contribute to achieving several SDGs, including:

 

Goal 1: No Poverty
By increasing farmers' income, the project aims to eradicate poverty.

Goal 2: Zero Hunger
By improving agricultural productivity and ensuring sustainable food production systems, the project aims to achieve food security and end hunger.

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
By ensuring access to safe and nutritious food, the project promotes health and well-being at the consumer level.

Goal 4: Quality Education
Through the project's team implementation of training programs on good agricultural practices (PAL GAP), it enhances agricultural knowledge and skills among farmers, leading to improved productivity and sustainability.

Goal 5: Gender Equality
The project seeks to ensure the participation of all farmers, including women, in support programs that aim to promote gender equality in the agricultural sector.

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
By reducing environmental impacts, the project supports the sustainable availability and management of water resources.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
By enhancing farmers' capacities, personal safety, and market access, the project promotes sustainable economic growth and decent work.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
By enhancing the capabilities of farmers in marginalized rural areas, the project contributes to reducing economic and social gaps between urban and rural areas.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
By ensuring the production of high-quality and safe food, the project supports sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Goal 13: Climate Action
By reducing environmental impacts and managing natural resources, the project aligns with efforts to combat climate change.

Goal 15: Life on Land
By supporting sustainable agriculture, the project helps protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems in and on soil.

 

The project is aimed to achieve the following general objectives:

  1. Strengthening PALGAP Standards: The project will strengthen the adoption of Palestinian Good Agricultural Practices (PALGAP) standards for agri-food and develop new standards for dairy products. These standards, built on international best practices (Global GAP), are tailored to meet the unique needs of Palestinian farmers, ensuring food safety and quality.

  2. Capacity Building: A critical component of the project is to enhance the capabilities of 400 small-scale farmers, community-based organizations (CBOs), farmer packing houses, and the university labs in the West Bank. This involves extensive training, provision of agricultural inputs, and establishment of quality assurance systems to produce, market, and ensure the quality of safe and environmentally friendly products.

  3. Market Development: To ensure the economic viability of PALGAP certified products, the project will support producers in developing marketing channels. This includes conducting market assessments, facilitating linkages with traders and retailers, and raising consumer awareness about the benefits of PALGAP certified products.

The project aims to achieve significant long-term impacts:

  • Enhanced Food Safety and Quality: The project will improve the safety and quality of agri-food and dairy products in the West Bank by implementing PALGAP standards.

  • Increased Farmer Income and Economic Empowerment: Farmers will benefit from higher incomes due to improved agricultural practices and access to better markets for PALGAP-certified products.

  • Stronger Community Resilience: The project will strengthen the social and economic of agricultural communities in the West Bank by empowering farmers, particularly women and youth.

  • Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Adopting environmentally friendly farming practices, as the PALGAP, will contribute to the sustainability of agriculture in the region, ensuring long-term benefits for producers and consumers.

The project activities include:

  • Training 400 farmers on PALGAP standards and best practices.

  • Conducting technical reviews and developing PALGAP standards for agri-food and dairy products.

  • Providing agricultural inputs and support to CBOs, farmers and university labs.

  • Organizing regular visits and coaching for farmers on the PALGAP certification process.

  • Conducting market assessments and designing marketing activities.

  • Establishing market channels for PALGAP-certified products.

The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and Islamic Relief France (SIF), and implemented in collaboration with key local partners, including:

  • An-Najah National University (ANNU) www.najah.edu represented by the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine & Energy, Water and Food Security Research Center.

  • Islamic Relief France (SIF)

  • The Palestinian Economic and Social Development Center (ESDC),

  • The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

  • The Palestinian Standards Institute (PSI)