Economic Impact of the Gaza

Blockade on Agricultural
Sector and and Adaptive
Strategies
Thesis Paper

Presenter: Mais Alnaji - 0999311

Supervised by Prof. Wieck

Anera,2018
Content
The Electronic Intifada, 2021

1 Introduction 6 Adaptive Strategies

2 Research Objectives 7 Successes and Failures [Findings]

3 Methodology 8 Recommendations

4 Historical Overview 9 Conclusion

Assessment of Blockade Impact on 10 References

5
Agriculture Sector in Gaza
Gaza Strip

Located in the far west of the Palestinian Territories in Southwest Asia.

Bordered by Egypt, Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Enjoys a mild climate with moderate winters and warm to hot, dry summers.

Relies on trade, agriculture, tourism, and light industry.

citrus fruits, olives, dates, and a variety of vegetables

and fruits.

Historically: Known for wheat, barley, cotton, and

flower cultivation.
THE GUARDIAN,2016
Overview of the Gaza Blockade
377,126

Erez border crossing- | People movement via Israel

Sources: Thomas | vox, 2014

Engaging in fishing activities within a restricted zone under naval blockade.

Source: Haaretz (The associated Press), 2010

1948
Nakba resulted in Israel's
occupation of 78% of Palestine,
leaving only 22% for Palestinians.
Agricultural operations in proximity to a
restricted zone blockade.
Source: Shutterstock, 2021

BLOCAKDE 2007

Rafah border crossing | Goods and People movement via Egypt Kerem shalom border crossing | Goods movement via Israel
Source: IsraelDefense (The associated Press), 2016

Israeli Declared Buffer Zone

High Risk Zone

1967 Gaza Map | Blockages and main related activities (OCHA, 2017)
No-Go Zone

In 1967, Israel took control of the

Gaza Strip.
 Blockade on various
5 Agriculture
Aspects of life The sector characterised by its vulnerability and the necessity for
implementing sustainable development strategies

4 Economy
Unemployment rate of 55% and 65%, living in extreme poverty, increasing reliance on aid.

3 Infrastructure
Infrastructure deterioration ; severe electricity and water shortages delaying development projects.

Humanitarian Needs
2
• Food insecurity rose by 69% in 2021 due to the blockade.
• UNRWA provide essential food aid to approximately 80% of Gazan households.

1 Movement Restrictions, and Goods Entry

Economic collapse and dependence on humanitarian aid. The Rafah border crossing saw limited increases in
travelers;delays due to restrictions and security checks by Egyptian personnel.
 Agriculture under Blockade

Territorial Changes

• Nakba resulted in Israel's
occupation of 78% of
Palestine, leaving only
22% for Palestinians.
• Agriculture was a key
sector in the Gaza Strip
during this time.
1967
Start of the Blockade
• The Gaza blockade began
when Hamas took
control, leading to a
prolonged siege.
• Agricultural sector faced
severe restrictions on
movement, impacting
trade.
2014
Ongoing Restrictions Complex Challenges
Despite export improvements, The COVID-19 pandemic,
Gaza's agriculture faced combined with access
ongoing challenges due to restrictions and security
import and export restrictions. concerns, created a complex
environment for Gaza's
agriculture.
2016
2018 2022

1948 2007 2016 2020

Israeli Control Military Operation Tightened Access Increased Exports

• In 1967, Israel took control
of the Gaza Strip.
• This led to economic
division and challenges for
the agricultural sector.
• In 1967, Israel took control
of the Gaza Strip.
• This led to economic
division and challenges for
the agricultural sector.
Access restrictions tightened in
2018, causing fuel and essential
supply shortages, particularly
affecting agriculture.
• In 2022, Gaza saw increased exports,
but levels remained below pre-
blockade figures.
• Various restrictions continued to impact
the agricultural economy, including
those near the perimeter fence.
 Scope of the Thesis
Importance of the Thesis
Time Scope

2014
• Significance: Studying Blockade's impact on agriculture is crucial for

2022
researchers, aiding our understanding of how the sector deals with crises.

• Key Understanding: Helps policymakers create better crisis management Geographical Scope
North
strategies for agriculture.
Gaza

• Adaptive Strategies: Farmer strategies during crises are valuable lessons for Deir Al Balah

global agriculture's resilience amidst geopolitical tensions. khanyounis

Rafah

• Limited Studies: Data challenges restrict previous studies, making this study a

potential model for crisis-stricken areas.

Research Objectives

The research aims to answer the following research questions:

• How the economic blockade affects Gaza's agriculture

• How Gaza's farmers adapt to and cope with the blockade.

To shed light on the

To provide an overview of the
reality of the agricultural sector
in the Gaza Strip.
To examine farmers' behaviors
implications of Israel's
in response to the challenges
practices on the agricultural
they encounter during the
sector.
ongoing Blockade.
 Methodology
Statistical Data
Quantitative
(Trade , Production)
Blockade Impact
on Agriculture

Qualitative
Previous
Studies

Methodology

Innovative
Strategies that Sources :
Visual • Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
Farmers Employ
Documentations (Authoritive-Source) .
• academic papers, reports, historical documents, and
Qualitative expert interviews
Previous Studies • Platform of Registered Foreign Trade interactive
database
Assessment The Blockade Impact on
Agriculture
Agricultural Production Agricultural Trade

The Impact Of Blockade On Resources & Infrastructure

The Agriculture Sector
Farmers

Raw Materials & Fertilizers

Agricultural Production

Figure 4-2: shows the Total Value

of Production Trends, as reported
by the Palestinian Central Bureau
of Statistics from 1996 to 2022.

• Pre-Blockade (1996-2006) showed consistent growth in total production value from $215.34 million in 1996 to

$347.65 million in 2006.

• After the Blockade (2007-2020), fluctuations occurred, reaching $638.69 million in 2022.
 Agricultural Trade

$ 6,953,000 to $ 96,800,000

Figure 4-3: illustrates the import trends. Figure 4-4: illustrates the export trends.
Source from the Registered Foreign Trade Interactive Database. Source from the Registered Foreign Trade Interactive Database.

• Agricultural exports remained consistently low from 2009 to 2020 but surged to $96.8 million in 2022.

• Imports faced a dramatic drop in 2009 due to the blockade but gradually recovered in subsequent years.
Resources & Infrastructure
• Ongoing electricity shortages due to Gaza's power plant issues worsened by Israeli restrictions.

• Water shortage and quality deterioration, impacting agriculture and causing seawater intrusion and freshwater

contamination.

Figure 4- 6: shows Hours of Water Supply and the Volume of Cubic

Figure 4-5: illustrates the chart showing the availability of
Meters Delivered to the Gazan Population (OCHA, 2017)
electricity in the Gaza Strip from 2017 to 2023 (OCHA,2023)
Raw Materials & Fertilizers

Restrictions on Goods Entering Gaza:

• Israel's strict control over goods entering Gaza "dual-use," such as fertilizers and farming

equipment.

• Ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, urea, and others are subject to restrictions.

Impact on Agricultural Productivity:

• Consistent access to these materials could potentially increase crop yields in Gaza by up to 25%.

• Reports suggest Israel might consider easing restrictions on some items like fertilizers and

disinfectants, but challenges persist in obtaining these essential materials.

Farmers & Labor Force

• Agriculture previously played a significant economic role, but the labor force participation rate

significantly declined post-Blockade, reaching a low of 6.4% in 2009.

• Persistent challenges posed by the blockade continue to impact agricultural livelihoods, with

relatively stable but low participation rates.

Figure 4-8: illustrates the trends in Agricultural employees during the period when the Blockade was enforced and before ( 1996 to 2022).
Assessment The Blockade Impact on Agriculture

Agricultural Production Agricultural Trade

3 3

The Impact Of Blockade On Resources & Infrastructure

2 The Agriculture Sector
4
Farmers

4
Scores offer quick reference for dimension
impact on Gaza's agriculture (1-5) from text. 1
Raw Materials & Fertilizers being the lowest.
 With limited horizontal
Due to power shortages, the
space, farmers have turned
adoption of solar energy has
to rooftops for agriculture,
increased, especially in
using innovative techniques Food Security Electricity
Urban Agriculture Solar Energy agricultural applications like
like vertical farming for
operating wells for irrigation.
strawberry cultivation.

ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES

Tunnel farming, conducted

Organic Compost
within agricultural tunnels,
reduces reliance on chemical
Other Tunnel Farming Early cultivation. fertilizers, shields crops,
minimizes losses, and
supports year-round crop
Seed Banks cultivation.
Results 1 Economic Agricultural Indicators (Production and Trade)
Increase in Agricultural Production

Export and Import Statistics

2
Negative Impact on Trade

Labor Trends
3
Decline and Stabilization

Resources and Infrastructure

4
leads to innovation among local farmers

Sustainability Strategies
5
Organic Fertilizers
 Limitation of the study

Limited literature
Review

Difficulty in Data
Collection

External Factors
Effects e.g / Wars

Limitations
 Conclusion & Recommendations

• Dual Impact of the Blockade

• Urban Agriculture and Sustainability

• Role of Solar Energy and Need for Support

• Shift towards Local Initiatives

• Urges increased investments in sustainable practices