Jordan Valley Youth Council Calls for Enhancing Support for Agriculture and Bedouin Communities in the Jordan Valley

In light of the political and economic challenges facing the agricultural sector in Palestine—particularly in the Jordan Valley, which has become a field for Israeli settlement practices—the Jordan Valley Youth Council emphasizes the importance of enhancing agriculture and supporting Palestinian farmers in the area. This sector, which represents one of the pillars of the Palestinian economy and a key tool in resisting settlement and preserving the land, has witnessed a noticeable decline in its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, dropping from 12% in 1994 to 5.6% in 2023.

Agriculture in the Jordan Valley is a fundamental pillar of Palestinian food security, serving as a main source of income for many Palestinian families, especially in rural areas. Moreover, agriculture is a vital national and political tool for preserving the land in the face of Israeli attempts at confiscation and settlement. Palestinian farmers in the Jordan Valley represent a strong barrier against displacement attempts and occupation threats.

In this context, the Jordan Valley, with its strategic location, is considered a fertile land for all types of agriculture—whether plant or animal—due to its warm climate and fertile soil that allow the production of diverse crops, as well as the availability of abundant pastures. However, the region faces major challenges, as about 90% of its land is under Israeli control, and there are plans by the occupation for the actual annexation of these lands, which threatens the continuation of agricultural activity in the area.

These demands align with the 19th Palestinian National Development Plan, launched by the Palestinian government for the years 2025–2026, which includes initiatives to support sustainable agriculture and food security. In this context, the Jordan Valley Youth Council calls for enhancing support for agriculture in the Jordan Valley, providing financial incentives to farmers, and offering the necessary materials and equipment for all aspects of the agricultural sector. This includes activating irrigation projects and rehabilitating agricultural groundwater wells.

The council also calls on the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry, the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, the private sector, and civil society organizations to launch national initiatives and campaigns to promote agriculture in the Jordan Valley and support the Bedouin communities that rely on agriculture as their main source of income.

The council concluded its statement by referring to the remarks of Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich, who vowed to “erase the Green Line” by expanding settlement agricultural projects in the West Bank, particularly in the Jordan Valley. In this context, the council affirmed its steadfast stance by stating: “If Smotrich is doing that, then we too are taking action by promoting agriculture in the Jordan Valley and protecting Palestinian land.”

Promoting agriculture in the Jordan Valley is not only about improving the economic conditions of farmers, but it is also a key part of the resilience of Palestinian citizens in the face of occupation policies and attempts to displace them and seize their lands.