Qatar Charity launches farming project in Gaza Strip

Qatar Charity (QC), in co-operation with the Ministry of Agriculture in the Gaza Strip, has launched a project to cultivate agricultural land in an effort to support Palestinian farmers facing tough farming conditions.The project includes the cultivation of 7,750 acres of agricultural land allocated in the Gaza Strip, which is worth QR910,466 and will benefit 200 farmers, QC has said in a statement.Mohamed Abu Haloub, director of the Qatar Charity office in the Gaza Strip, and Samir Mutair, chairman of the Electricity Distribution Company, signed an agreement to start implementing the first phase of the agricultural land cultivation project, which includes the provision of eight electrical transformers. The transformers will supply 42 wells with power to irrigate more than 7,500 acres of agricultural land. The project includes the cultivation of 7,750 acres of agricultural land allocated in the Gaza Strip.The second phase of the project will involve the operation of a well through renewable energy. It is to be implemented within two months to help pump water to irrigate more than 150 acres of land. The second and final phase deals with the cultivation of more than 100 acres and planting fruit trees, according to QC.Abu Halub said one of the main objectives of the project is to support farmers who are affected in the Gaza Strip and to encourage local agriculture to attain self-sufficiency as far as basic crops are concerned.Abu Halub stressed the importance of contributing to reducing unemployment rates by providing job opportunities for farmers and those who work in the agricultural sector. In addition, the project will help improve the rates of food security among Gazans by providing vegetables at reasonable prices. On his part, Adel Attallah, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, expressed happiness at Qatartarget="_blank"'>