Partnership with Italian Cooperation

Partnership with Italian Cooperation

The Cooperative Association of Palm Farmers in Jericho implemented two strategic projects with the support of Italian cooperation, aiming to strengthen the Palestinian dates sector and expand its economic opportunities locally and internationally.

Background of the Cooperation

Within the framework of international partnership aimed at supporting Palestinian agriculture, the Cooperative Association of Palm Farmers in Jericho and the Jordan Valley launched two qualitative projects in collaboration with the Italian Cooperation Agency, supported by the Municipality of Bergamo and the John Paul II Foundation. These projects represent an important step towards developing agricultural infrastructure, improving production quality, and opening new marketing horizons for Palestinian dates, especially the “Mabroom” variety for which Jericho is globally famous.

Project 1: Construction of a Central Cold Storage and Offices

The vital project was implemented to build a central cold storage for dates alongside modern administrative offices for the association, as part of a comprehensive development program to enhance infrastructure and improve the value chain of “Mabroom” dates.

Project Objectives

• Provide high storage capacity for dates post-harvest to ensure quality and reduce waste.
• Enable the association to manage sorting, packaging, and marketing professionally.
• Enhance the association’s role as an organizational umbrella for farmers by providing a fully equipped administrative headquarters.
• Improve the competitiveness of dates in local and international markets.

Project Components

• Modern central cold storage with large capacity, equipped with advanced industrial cooling systems.
• Multi-functional administrative offices for staff, farmer services, and digital archiving.
• Supporting infrastructure including backup power systems, loading/unloading areas, and service facilities.

Project 2: Developing the Agricultural Food Sector and Marketing Dates in Italy

The project, titled “Jericho is More,” was launched to improve the local institutional system, enhance regional economic integration, create new job opportunities, especially for women and youth, and strengthen local governance by supporting and empowering agricultural associations administratively.

Project Activities

• Organizing participation in international agricultural exhibitions in Italy.
• Improving packaging to meet European standards.
• Enhancing the image of the Palestinian product as a symbol of identity and resilience.
• Building trade partnerships with importers and distributors in the Italian food sector.

Impact of Italian Cooperation

• Increased dates storage capacity by more than 40%.
• Reduced reliance on external storage intermediaries and lowered operational costs.
• Improved export conditions and final product quality.
• Enhanced farmers’ trust in the association and provided logistical and marketing support.

The Italian Consul confirmed that Italy pays great attention to supporting the Palestinian economy, especially in Jericho Governorate, through sustainable projects that enhance local production and open export opportunities, emphasizing the importance of Palestinian dates as a high-quality food product.