Palestinians reclaim Gaza farmland

[Violet_Crumble]

By Philip Rizk in Gaza

Nearly 18 months after Israel completed its disengagement from illegal settlements in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian farmers and contractors have begun agricultural and academic projects to rehabilitate the area.

During Israel's 38-year military presence in the Gaza Strip, the settlements had been cordoned off by security zones which insulated and protected the settlers but also prevented Palestinian farmers from accessing their farmland.

However, where the northern settlements once stood, uprooted fields are now being replanted with strawberries, potatoes and carrots, and wells and irrigation systems are being repaired.

Loai Ali Khadeer, a 20-year-old farmer from Beit Lahiya who has planted strawberries on 10 donums (one donum is the equivalent of 2,500sq m) of rented land, says: "It's better than before, a lot better.

"I hope it stays like this and the situation doesn't get worse. Now there are no problems, Arabs are planting on land next to Jews."

Khadeer is referring to fields that have been restored right up to the border with Israel.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E7ADF513-6081-4E6A-A7A6-18A810B5DDAF.htm

[bemildred]

1. Good.

You can eat what you grow, if you can't find a way to sell it. There ought to be a Geneva convention to protect farmers.

[pelsar]

2. they're being smart about it..

they're growing low growing plants (strawberries etc) that cant provide cover for kassams shooters.....so those fields wont be used by the various jihadnikim not to shoot nor to hop the fence..with the inevitable response that it invites.

good adaptation to reality.

[bemildred]

3. Growing strawberries is new? nt

[pelsar]

4. yep....

the staples of gaza were low growing trees. olives, oranges etc. Many were razed to the ground, when the kassams started the firing, farmers were shot while in the shadows of the trees where others used those areas to shoot at israelis etc.

strawberries are new to the area for local consumption.....never grown here until about 10-15 years ago (for export israel started in the 60s)

[bemildred]

5. A tough crop to grow, perishable.

Olives or citrus would be better.

[pelsar]

6. smart farmers.....

it seems the farmers of gaza disagree with you...
the low stuff will keep the IDF "out of their hair" so to speak...and keep the jihadnikim away.....

they will get a chance to farm their lands in peace.....thats the better decsion.

(even though the olive trees are "native" and easy to grow....). The strawberries...i dont know about the "local market"...they may require exporting though...(they are expensive)

[bemildred]

7. You assume too much.

I'm not questioning their judgement. Just commenting on what I would prefer to grow. They grow strawberries here too. I have a few volunteer plants in my garden.

There have been a number of stories about spoiled strawberries because they could not be shipped outside Gaza in time in the last few years. I'm sure this fellow would like to have more options, but apparently his security is of little concern, hence he makes do.

[pelsar]

8. perhaps..i assumed too much...

but beyond strawberries they are also growing: potatoes and carrots. (and cucumbers that i've seen)

Strawberries probably being the "cash crop" while potatoes and carrots being a food staple.

[bemildred]

9. Agreed. nt