The potential for sustainable rainfed farming in Palestine

Abstract

The most important source of increased crop yield in the Middle East has probably been the increase in irrigated area although it has been accompanied by other inputs such as chemical fertilizers, improved varieties, mechanization, and pesticides. Palestine, which in this paper encompasses West Bank and Gaza, has had a similar emphasis on irrigation although only 5% of West Bank agricultural land is irrigated. However, the possibility of further expanding or even maintaining present water use for fostering agricultural growth in this dry region is diminishing. There now is a growing understanding that future sustainable agriculture in the Middle East may depend on shifting emphasis to rainfed farming; in the past, this was not considered possible because of its perceived low productive potential Recent research, however, has evaluated the status of rainfed farming in Palestine and targeted areas that need improvement. Experiments and demonstrations have shown the potential to vastly improve rainfed farming's production, economic return and status. Following up on these initial steps should be an important priority in maintaining food production in this region.

Impact of irrigated agricultural practices on environmental quality and human health in the West Bank

“…The current irrigated area in the West Bank is 9,473 ha or 5% of the total cultivated area; the remaining 95% is devoted to rainfed agriculture (Isaac and Gasteyer, 1997). The irrigated area has an annual agricultural crop production of 270,570 tons or 47% of the total.…”

Making Food Safer in Palestine: A One Health Approach to Antimicrobial Resistance

“…Palestine has been grappling with a complex web of political conflicts and environmental challenges for decades, and these issues are deeply intertwined (Isaac & Gasteyer, 1995). As remains under full Israeli control (Lagerquist, 2004).…”

“…Currently, the PNA exercises varying degrees of control over different parts of the West Bank, including East jeruslaem, and Gaza Strip (Figure1-1 A). The population of the Palestine is estimated to be around 5 million in 2019, with approximately 3 million in the West Bank and 2 million in the Gaza Strip (Isaac & Gasteyer, 1995;Palestinian, 2003;"Statistical Yearbook of Palestine," 2017). Population density is extremely high in the Gaza strip and some West Bank areas, including East Jerusalem (Figure 1-1 B) (UNEP, 2020) .…”

Rainfed agroecosystem resilience in the Palestinian West Bank, 1918–2017

“…In the early 1980s, studies emphasized 'benefits' and the economic importance of rainfed farming for the continued persistence of Palestinian agriculture in the West Bank in the wake of the transformations of the 1970s that required less time and labor (Awartani 1982;Tamari 1981Tamari , 1990. Studies in the 1990s focused on the development of the rainfed agricultural sector, bringing in the concept of sustainability to the topic (Isaac and Gasteyer 1997) and (Isaac et al 1994). In rainfed farming, Palestinians shifted from field crops to olives (Butterfield et al 2000).…”