Development of the National Agriculture Research Strategy for Palestine

Agriculture is an essential component of the Palestinian national, cultural, economic and social fabric. In the difficult conditions of Palestine, agriculture sector improves food security, grants job opportunities and incomes, contributes to the GDP and exports in a significant way, improves environment conservation and help developing and enhancing other economic sectors. The importance of agriculture is not only economic: it also represents an important factor to protect land from confiscations and settlements, protecting Palestinian land and water rights and use.

Phase I) Analyse current srategy, meeting the NARS and visiting the agricultural research centers. Identify gap and needs Palestinian Agriculture. Define a new strategy. Phase II) Workshops with NARS. Launch the new strategy.

Phase I: - Present National Agricultural Research Strategy will be analysed and stakeholders will be identified and participate actively to the development of the new strategy. Major challenges and needs of Palestinian agriculture will be identified, visiting research facilities, and discussed during a workshop with NARS and stakeholders, producing a specific report. - A first draft of the new strategy will be produced and discussed with NARS during a second workshop. Phase II: -A series of workshops whit NARS and stakeholders will approve the final document of the New National Agricultural Research Strategy, contributing to define action plan, priorities and performance indicators.