Captions: Osamah/Strawberries
All Photos By Bobby Neptune for USAID
Osamah Abu Al-Rub is one of only 20 strawberry farmers in the West Bank. He and his brother Khaled own a farm in Jenin Governorate and are among a pilot group of growers that began receiving USAID assistance in 2014 to boost the strawberry sector. The USAID Compete Project – which helps Palestinian farmers introduce a range of new crops with high export potential – helped him transition half of his strawberry crop from an open field into modern hanging systems in greenhouses. A new computerized system controls and monitors water and fertilizer levels for optimal output. As a result, he is able to produce ten times more strawberries than those grown the traditional way. Although USAID works with just 5 farmers in the strawberry sector, these five now produce around 70 percent of all the strawberries grown in the West Bank. Agriculture is one of four sectors that the Compete Project targets to improve the quality and competitiveness of the Palestinian economy. In 2014, the Palestinian agriculture sector increased the value of exports by $24 million compared to the previous year.
Other Facts: The project’s goal is to quintuple the current amount of strawberries grown using modern methods (2 hectares).
Osamah Abu Al-Rub is one of only 20 strawberry farmers in the West Bank. In 2014 he became one of five strawberry farmers to receive USAID assistance to grow more and higher quality strawberries using less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Because farmers did not have access to modern growing methods, output was low and crops like strawberries were traditionally imported. Since 2014, USAID has provided hanging systems and soilless culture media; introduced computerized, automated irrigation systems; and connected farmers with a Palestinian agribusiness. Boosting the Palestinian economy through targeted support to the agriculture sector is a USAID priority in the West Bank. In 2014, the Palestinian agriculture sector increased the value of exports by $24 million compared to the previous year.
Osamah Abu Al-Rub is one of only 20 strawberry farmers in the West Bank and one of five that began to receive USAID assistance in 2104. Before this, Osamah, like most Palestinian farmers, grew his strawberries in open fields – the traditional way. With USAID assistance, he has introduced hanging growing methods in new greenhouses, which protect the strawberries against the elements and allows him to better monitor soil quality. He also began using computerized irrigation which dramatically decreases the amount of water he uses – a precious resource in the West Bank. Now, even though only half of Osamah’s strawberry plants are hanging, they make up around 80 percent of what he harvests and sells.
Quick Facts
Agriculture comprises 6 percent of the Palestinian economy and employs almost a third of the workforce.
USAID is investing in the Palestinian agriculture sector and partnering with farmers in order to increase economic development and job opportunities in the West Bank.
USAID also assists Palestinian farmers to introduce a range of new crops with high export potential to the Palestinian agriculture sector. These include strawberries, seedless grapes, red potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus, mangos, litchis, fruit trees, and grapes.
Results
In 2014, the Palestinian agriculture sector increased the value of exports by $24 million compared to the previous year.
Between 2012 and 2014, 1,700 farmers were trained on a variety of agriculture related topics.
Strawberries
USAID started investing in the strawberry sector in 2014.
Total dollar value invested: $262,500.
USAID works with 5 farmers in the strawberry sector which comprises 25% of farmers in this sector; however their production comprises 70% of strawberry production in the West Bank.
Type of assistance: Providing hanging systems and soilless culture; introduced computerized, automated irrigation systems; and connected farmers with Al-Salam Group, a Palestinian agribusiness company that produces frozen vegetables, who purchased strawberries from farmers and packaged the first frozen strawberries in the West Bank.
In 2014, production amount was 210 tons which is a 186% increase from 2013.
In 2014, sales value was $480,000 which is a 129% increase from 2013.
In 2014, exports value was $5,000. Prior to that there was no export.
Strawberries are sold in the West Bank and Israel.
In 2014, water required for strawberry irrigation decreased by 38% compared to the previous year.
USAID INVESTS IN AGRICULTURE
For generations, the United States has been a leader in providing development assistance across the globe. This includes investing in agriculture-led economic growth. In 2009, President Obama committed $3.5 billion over a 3 year period to a global initiative with the intent of combatting hunger and poverty; in May 2010 the United States Department of State launched the Feed the Future Initiative.
Throughout the last seven years, the U.S. Government has worked to boost Palestinian businesses in four targeted sectors including agriculture, tourism, Information and Communications Technology, and stone and marble.
The agriculture sector in the West Bank has great potential and yields great produce. Recognizing this potential, USAID is investing in the Palestinian agriculture sector in order to increase economic development and job opportunities in the West Bank. Agriculture comprises 6% of the Palestinian GDP and employs almost a third of the workforce (9.7% of males and 22.2% of females in the Palestinian labour force work in agriculture).
Within the agriculture sector, USAID assistance, through the Compete project, allows Palestinian agribusinesses to increase exports internationally by improving standards, filling gaps through international certifications, and encouraging cooperation and innovation for economic benefits and global competitiveness.
This is done through the provision of technical assistance; introducing new techniques (such as grafting of seedlings) to increase production and limit pest infestations; introducing innovative technologies to improve irrigation that increase quantity and improve quality of produce; promoting local practices based on international standards; introducing new products to local markets; upgrading packaging and labeling for products; providing equipment; and facilitating the use of treated wastewater for agriculture, all of which increase produce, investments, and exports. These support Palestinian farms to upgrade equipment and obtain international standard certifications which help farms reach lucrative export markets with quality products at competitive prices.
USAID also assists Palestinian farmers to introduce a range of new crops with high export potential to the Palestinian agriculture sector. These include strawberries, seedless grapes, red potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, fruit trees, and grapes. A model lychee and mango farm was also established. These new crops were chosen for their suitability to the climate and soil quality of the West Bank in addition to their high export demand.
USAID also assists Palestinian firms working in the agricultural sector to develop international linkages through the introduction of forward contracts, familiarization trips for international buyers, and increased exposure through international food expos, all of which help these firms pursue opportunities in domestic, regional, and international markets. Forward contracts reduce many of the risks that SME agribusinesses face selling their products on the open market where prices can often fluctuate. Partnerships with multinational firms include Whole Foods, Williams Sonoma, Ben & Jerry’s, Lush Cosmetics, Dr. Bronner’s, The Body Shop, and Lays.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS THROUGH USAID SUPPORT
In 2014, the Palestinian agriculture sector increased the value of exports by $24 million compared to the previous year.
Since 2012, Palestinian firms signed 33 contracts with international buyers, infusing $34 million into the Palestinian economy [20 forward contracts infused $11 million and trade show participation infused $23 million].
Since 2012, 1,131 new people were employed in the agriculture.
Between 2012 and 2014, new technologies were introduced to 1,877 hectares (18,770 dunams) improving quantity and quality of production.
Between 2012 and 2014, 1,700 farmers were trained on a variety of agriculture related topics.
Between 2012 and 2014, USAID invested in 505 farms to promote agriculture production.
USAID’s overall investment in the agriculture sector since 2012 is $8.2 million.
KEY SECTOR RESULTS [at USAID supported farms and businesses]