Ramallah – On Wednesday, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency and the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture signed an agreement in Ramallah to fund the “Sumud” (Resilience) project aimed at empowering Palestinian farmers in the Jerusalem Governorate. The signing ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the State of Palestine, Abderrahim Meziane, along with BMAQ’staff in Jerusalem.
The agreement was signed by Palestinian Minister of Agriculture, Rezq Salimia, and the Director running BMAQ, Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui. The project’s initial phase is set to benefit 250 farmers in Jerusalem through three main initiatives: distributing agricultural seedlings, providing water tanks and cisterns, and supplying veterinary kits to support livestock in the area.
On this occasion, the Palestinian Minister highlighted that the agreement comes at a critical moment to bolster the resilience of farmers in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas, enabling them to remain on their land and sustain their livelihoods. He also emphasized that this initiative represents the first step in a series of upcoming projects aimed at further supporting the agricultural sector.
Mr. Salimia praised the ongoing support provided by BMAQ, under the guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, in favor of Jerusalemite farmers.
For his part, the Director of BMAQ affirmed that this agreement is part of a broader series of programs and initiatives implemented by the Agency in line with the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee. These efforts aim to support all segments of the Jerusalemite population—including small-scale farmers both within and around the city—and to empower them to continue their agricultural activities in the face of growing challenges.
Following the signing, Mr. Echarkaoui, accompanied by the Palestinian Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Engineer Badr Al-Hawamdeh, and the Director General of International Relations, Public Affairs, and Media, Mahmoud Fatafta, conducted field visits to agricultural projects in the villages of Beit Surik and Biddu, as well as to a sheep farm in Al-Jadeera. During the visits, they engaged with local farmers, listened to their experiences, and heard firsthand accounts of their efforts and success in safeguarding their land—now encircled by settlements on all sides.
During the visit, the project owners expressed their deep appreciation for all initiatives dedicated to enhancing the resilience of Palestinian farmers. They praised the vital role played by BMAQ in this field, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, particularly through the annual “Awna” olive harvest campaigns and the “Sumud” project, which provides direct support to farmers. The project is overseen by the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and the Jerusalem Governorate, and is implemented on the ground by the Land Research Center, the Ministry’s official executing partner.
