Mohammad al-Halabi, a 50-year-old farmer, diligently tends to tomato and eggplant seedlings in a modest 300-square-meter garden located in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. This small plot represents not just a piece of land, but a pivotal effort to restore his farming legacy, which was nurtured alongside his father, Marwan, on their expansive family estate in Jabalia, Northern Gaza.
### The Loss of Agricultural Heritage
Al-Halabi once cultivated a pivotal 40,000 square meters (about 10 acres) of fruitful land, where he grew a variety of produce, including strawberries, potatoes, and flowers. Farming has been a family affair, with his four children—Mahmoud, Reham, Issa, and Omar—actively participating in the labor that sustained their household. Al-Halabi’s deep-rooted connection to the land is palpable as he reflects, “The land is my life, and I have spent my whole life farming it.”
However, the turmoil of war brought devastating changes. In February 2024, his once-thriving farmland was destroyed by Israeli forces, a casualty of the ongoing conflict impacting Jabalia. Now filled with debris and remnants of conflict, the land he cherished lies dormant, requiring significant rehabilitation to return to any form of agricultural productivity.
### Resilience Amid Adversity
With his larger farm rendered useless, Al-Halabi has turned his focus to the smaller plot in Nuseirat, which he began renting after losing his home due to the war. He is growing whatever he can acquire, symbolizing his unyielding commitment to agriculture even in tough circumstances. “Agriculture is my profession,” he says. “Even after being displaced, I couldn’t leave it. I found a small piece of land and planted whatever I could get.”
Despite the challenges, the yield from his new garden has been minimal, often producing merely a few kilograms of crops—barely enough to sustain his family. Nevertheless, each sprouting plant offers him a flicker of hope: “When I see the plant growing and producing a fruit, I feel that I can still farm.”
### Widespread Agricultural Devastation
The broader impact of the conflict on Gaza’s agriculture is dire. Official data indicates that over 87% of the region’s agricultural land has been decimated, alongside the destruction of more than 8,700 wells and nearly 8,000 livestock farms. Agricultural output has plummeted from approximately 524,000 tonnes annually to a mere 20,000 tonnes. Naser Deeb, general director of the Agricultural Extension at Gaza’s Ministry of Agriculture, highlights the extensive damage, stating that recovering the agricultural sector will necessitate thorough rehabilitation efforts, addressing faults in irrigation, soil quality, and providing essential agricultural inputs.
Deeb emphasizes that farmers like Al-Halabi are grappling with multifaceted challenges. “Even if a farmer returns to his land, that does not mean the land is ready for cultivation,” he asserts. This signifies a bleak future for many farming families in Gaza, making it increasingly difficult to restore their livelihoods.
### Future Prospects and Ingenuity
Despite the overwhelming hurdles, some farmers are determined to rebuild through innovative small-scale projects. Mohammad Abdul Naser Hassan al-Jadba, for instance, faced a loss of income when his farmland fell within a restricted zone controlled by Israeli forces. Recognizing the dangers of accessing his old land, he rented a small plot in Deir el-Balah, where he established a nursery and greenhouse to grow tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
With support from a Belgian development fund, al-Jadba has transformed his situation, managing to generate a monthly income of around 3,000 shekels (approximately $1,015). His enterprise not only sustains his family but also provides employment for two additional farmers, assisting them in reclaiming their livelihoods. “For me, this project was not just agricultural support,” he shares, highlighting the profound impact of small-scale farming initiatives amidst adversity, allowing families in Gaza to strive for self-reliance and stability.