Source: UN News: Wednesday, 31 December 2025 00:01 AM
According to a new UN analysis, more than 72 thousand families dependent on farming and animal husbandry in the occupied West Bank need to be provided with agricultural assistance as soon as possible.
Food and Agriculture Organization ,F.A.O.A new survey shows that more than 90 percent of families dependent on agriculture in the West Bank have lost their source of income. Apart from this, there has been a decline in the production and sale of crops and livestock, which is creating difficult situations. The UN agency has given this information on the basis of a survey conducted in the West Coast in July-August 2025. Tweet URL
Agriculture is still an important lifeline in this region. Out of 7 lakh families living in the west coast, about 1.15 lakh families depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Because of this, this sector of the economy is vital for food security and income. This is the second survey conducted in the West Bank this year, according to which agricultural dependent households are in urgent need of cash and in-kind assistance to deal with the challenges posed by violence, economic crisis and loss of income sources. Attacks and violence by residents of Israeli settlements in the West Bank have increased, while economic difficulties for the Palestinian population have deepened. The survey, funded by the European Union, assesses how the violent conflict in the Gaza Strip has affected farming and herding families in the West Bank. For this, information was collected from 1.5 thousand families, in which crop producers, cattle rearers and families dependent on both were talked to. Reasons for the crisis: The results of the survey show that the pressure on rural families is increasing. In the West Bank, 9 out of every 10 agriculturally dependent households, or about 1 lakh households, have experienced at least one shock in the recent past. These problems include violence, rising costs of living, and loss of employment. Many families were also dependent on income from working in the fields during the previous years. Before the attacks on Israel in October 2023, 41 percent of the survey participants were working in Israel or in their settlements. But after the outbreak of the war, about 90 percent of them lost their jobs and only half the number were able to find alternative employment. The majority of these are also in agriculture, where conditions are already difficult. Palestinian families have mentioned problems such as limited access to water, restrictions on movement and difficulties in accessing land. Apart from this, availability of inputs required for agriculture, and high cost of fuel and transportation is also a major hindrance. Agriculture as an effective solution: Despite these challenges, according to the survey, agriculture remains one of the most effective solutions for ensuring food and income for local families. The UN agency says that livelihoods and assets can be protected through seeds and fertilizers, drought-tolerant crops, water tanks, animal shelters and dairy processing equipment. In parallel, humanitarian assistance must be provided to those in need. Help can be provided to the population without any delay. To save families from falling into crisis, it is important that adequate funds are available.