Agriculture Minister Discusses Challenges and Support for the Palm Sector with Jericho and Jordan Valley Farmers’ Cooperative
Monday, 29/6/2025
Minister of Agriculture, Professor Rizq Salimiya, met with the board of the Jericho and Jordan Valley Palm Farmers’ Cooperative, chaired by Mr. Muhammad Qawasmi, in the presence of former Minister of Agriculture H.E. Ismail Dweik and several board members. The meeting addressed the main issues and challenges facing the palm sector in Palestine, particularly in the Jordan Valley, as well as ways to enhance and support this vital sector both technically and administratively.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Qawasmi presented a developmental plan prepared by the cooperative to collaborate with the Ministry in strengthening this important sector, in addition to highlighting various areas of interest for the cooperative, including productivity and environmental aspects, as well as a set of needs related to maximizing the cultivation of this key crop.
Minister Salimiya emphasized the importance the Ministry of Agriculture attaches to the palm sector due to its national significance as a Palestinian identity competing at the global level. This is reflected on the ground through governance of the sector and increasing the volume of date exports, which exceeded 16,000 tons last year, thanks to continuous efforts and the high competitiveness of Palestinian products. He also highlighted the activation of international partnerships that have opened new markets for the sector. Moreover, Salimiya noted that the Ministry has regulated the fertilizers sector following the recommendations of the Palestinian Council of Ministers, which has further contributed to enhancing production.
Salimiya also stressed the Ministry’s commitment to providing technical and logistical support to the cooperative and its readiness to follow up on all presented issues. It was agreed to hold a meeting of a technical committee comprising representatives from both the Ministry and the cooperative to follow up on outstanding points and continue discussing ways to develop this strategic agricultural sector.
The meeting, held at the Minister’s office at the Ministry headquarters in Ramallah, was attended by the Assistant Undersecretary for the Technical Sector, Eng. Amjad Salah; the Assistant Undersecretary for Natural Resources, Eng. Hossam Talib; the Director General of the General Administration of Agricultural Lands, M. Ammar Salahat; and a delegation of members from the Jericho and Jordan Valley Palm Farmers’ Cooperative.
