INTRODUCTION
PARC carried out its activities during 1995 , adhering to
its philosophy, approaches, and type of plans and programs as
in previous years, without making any substantial changes. It
continued to stand firm as the leading agricultural NGO in Palestine,
despite all odds and difficulties which remained a nature of
live in the West Bank and Gaza strip. Despite political developments
in the region, and relative stability in the autonomous areas,
the second year after Oslo agreement, did not bring any tangible
improvement in the life of farmers and Palestinian agriculture,
since most of the country side in the West Bank continued to
be under direct Israeli control.
Israeli known measures over many years against Palestinians
including confiscation of land, expanding settlements, building
by- pass roads, and harassing cultivation, as well as chopping
and burning of trees, continued more extensively during the
year despite the on going political process. A thing which is
leaving drastic effects on agriculture and environment in Palestine.
It is therefore that PARC had to continue concentrating on projects
like land reclamation, opening agricultural roads and distribution
of subsidized saplings, to help farmers face such a situation.
PARC’s activities remained most in demand due to almost total
absence of any aid to the sector either through donor countries
or the Palestinian National Authority, with the exception of
few insufficient projects carried out by some NGOs . It is also
noticed in this context that the Palestinian government agricultural
departments have not had the chance to organize themselves and
shoulder their responsibilities particularly that no minister
of agriculture has yet been appointed like in other ministries.
PARC has also enhanced its cooperation and strengthened its
relations during the year with foreign institutions, and exerted
efforts to increase the interest of donors and NGOs in the agricultural
sector. It also played a distinguished role in urging people
to take part in the general elections for the Palestinian Council
which took place February 1996( as this report was under preparation).
It is noticed that a number of elected members are PARC’s friends
and maintained strong ties with it over many years.
The year also witnessed the start of cooperation between Palestinian
farmers and some Israeli NGOs on reciprocal bases, in an effort
to lay the bases for peaceful cooperation and sound dialogue
between the two neighbors.
Last but not least, PARC tried hard to strengthen its relation
and cooperation with the Palestinian authority in general and
the ministry of agriculture in particular. This remains however
among PARC’s top priorities in the year ahead.
PRELUDE
The Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees PARC rural development
institution, established 1983. It aims at empowering rural societies
and helping the needy maintain their food security and existence.
Since its inception, PARC concentrated on agricultural extension
as a direct means of communication with the farmers, offering
its services to them and attending to their problems. Crop production
was the first section to be established in PARC, followed by the
Animal production comprising veterinarians and technicians. Other
units were then established including the agricultural women unit
which worked with women who consist nearly 60 % of people working
in agriculture, and training, information, consultation, and applied
research units. Various units complement each other to fulfill
the goals which PARC sat for its self which is the development
of the Palestinian rural sector.
EXTENSION
A. Crop production
The extension unit extended its services to 287 villages and agricultural
locations in the West Bank and Gaza. The services were given through
specialized agronomists and area managers that are geographically
distributed into 7 areas in addition to the Gaza main branch,
12 agronomists and 7 area managers have extended their services
to around 18891 farmers and beneficiaries as follows:
A. Agriculture Extension Project
This project aimed at raising technical knowledge of farmers,
within a context of environmental awareness . It targeted mainly
young farmers with limited experience in the West Bank and Gaza
strip. The following activities were achieved during the year
:
I. Conducting 2418 field visits that resulted in serving
10856 beneficiaries, as listed in the table below:
|
Region
|
No. of Locations
|
No. of Field Visits
|
Lectures
|
Demonst-rations
|
Courses
|
Beneficiaries
|
|
Hebron
|
48
|
294
|
18
|
13
|
1
|
702
|
|
Bethlehem
|
34
|
225
|
9
|
8
|
2
|
600
|
|
Ramallah
|
44
|
271
|
15
|
10
|
1
|
334
|
|
Jericho
|
7
|
150
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
790
|
|
Nablus
|
49
|
303
|
14
|
9
|
1
|
236
|
|
Tulkarem
|
41
|
458
|
31
|
13
|
-
|
1428
|
|
Jenin
|
33
|
216
|
2
|
6
|
-
|
1016
|
|
Gaza
|
31
|
501
|
18
|
6
|
-
|
5750
|
|
TOTAL
|
287
|
2418
|
111
|
65
|
5
|
10856
|
II. Published eighteen new agricultural publication in
addition to the distribution of publications after re-printing
:
Bananas, figs, greenhouses, natural fertilizers, planting under
tunnels, chemical fertilizers, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepper, cauliflower,
carnations, melons, watermelons, strawberries, potatoes, heat
sterilization, palm trees( several publications).
III. The unit concentrated during the year on raising
the technical qualification of agronomists so that each would
become specialized in a certain field according to the area
he works in, and main crops in that particular area. This will
help cover the lack of highly qualified cadres which agriculture
suffers from. In preparation for that there was participation
in a number of various local and abroad courses. It was also
noticed . A qualitative improvement was noticed in the efficiency
of methods implemented in extension activities, and relations
with the farmers as well as other projects implemented by the
unit.
It was also noticed that there was some concentration and
a trend to work in the mountainous rain fed areas, on crops
,opening agricultural roads, land reclamation, tree cultivation,
and others. A serious new trend of work with school students
and teachers, to preserve the environment and cultivating trees.
The number of locations in which the unit works has increased
from 147 villages in 1994, to 287 villages in 1995. The number
of beneficiaries has also declined from 16000 in 1994, to 10000
in 1995. This is due to concentrating on the method of teaching
pioneering farmers who in their turn will convey the information
to the rest of farmers.
B. Animal production:
During the past year the work of the unit concentrated on the
following areas:
Extension and Treatment Visits
|
Region
|
No of locations
|
Treatment Cases
|
Extension visits
|
No of Beneficiaries
|
|
Jenin
|
18
|
1840
|
1060
|
2480
|
|
Tulkarem
|
24
|
1720
|
1200
|
2320
|
|
Nablus / Salfeet
|
25
|
3210
|
2000
|
2345
|
|
Hebron
|
16
|
2210
|
1930
|
2410
|
|
Bethlehem
|
5
|
500
|
750
|
1650
|
|
Gaza
|
15
|
1750
|
1100
|
2350
|
The year did not witness any inoculation campaigns due to
the non availability of drugs, only 3500 sheep were inoculated
against parasites and different types of diseases in the Hebron
area and also 4500 sheep were inoculated in the Nablus and Sulfate
area by veterinarians and agronomists.
The unit function during this year was marked with efforts
to organize farmers of villages located near each other in units
to get vet. services. It was also agreed with a large number
of farmers to get scheduled vet. services by covering part of
the cost. The number of beneficiaries was reduced to half of
their number in 1994. Services however were better . The reduction
of the number of beneficiaries and locations led to giving better
services. Cooperation with the VSF had its effective impact
in training the staff, improving the services, particularly
in the field of the contagious diseases, and those common with
human beings,. Most of the staff receive condensed training
in Israel in the filed of raising cows, artificial insemination.
The staff were also provided with better instruments than before.
WOMEN'S UNIT
The Women’s Unit comprises 20 women agronomists and women
extension workers, in various regions of the West Bank and Gaza
strip. The activity of the staff covers 160 localities, benefiting
at least 2615 in the West Bank according to records. At least
3500 other women took part intermittently in the unit’s activities.
The unit aims at strengthening and activating rural women’s
capabilities to empower them deal successfully with available
resources and taking their own decisions by themselves.
Targeted groups Targeted group for various activities is rural
women between 15 - 50 of their age. The unit also works on special
programs and activities to benefit all groups of women.
The year was marked with an increase in the number of locations
from 116 in 1994 to 178 in 1995. This is the result of women’s
bad need to develop these activities. It was also noticed that
there is better use of time by workers, in cooperation with
volunteers in executing a larger number of activities which
is about twice as many as those of the year before. Success
in organizing rural women, and cooperation with local and foreign
institutions functioning in the field of rural development,
but lack relations with women in the field, all contributed
to good results over the year. At the same time, the easy getting
of funds for women projects, contributed to covering the needs
of the unit and women. It was also noticed that the unit staff
enjoy high professionalism in comparison with what exists in
the occupied territories.
The unit also concentrated on benefiting from all available
opportunities in the field of local and external training. The
activities were not restricted to agricultural aspects, but
included social, civil, health, and women’s rights aspects.
A partial change was also introduced on the units relations
with other PARC’s units , by involving women in other projects
executed by other units .This aspect however, needs to be developed
to give better results in the future.
Programs and Activities
|
Area
|
locations
|
Visit
|
Adm. visits
|
Home visits
|
Demon
stration
|
Agricul
lectures
|
Seminars
|
Coop
|
Extension Tours
|
Exchange Tours
|
|
Hebron
|
18
|
381
|
112
|
76
|
47
|
165
|
12
|
0
|
15
|
3
|
|
Bethlehem
|
20
|
255
|
64
|
62
|
5
|
54
|
9
|
0
|
00
|
0
|
|
Jerusalem
|
11
|
244
|
67
|
123
|
13
|
33
|
9
|
2 *
|
15
|
5
|
|
Ramallah
|
11
|
210
|
80
|
36
|
20
|
23
|
5
|
1 *
|
18
|
1
|
|
Nablus
|
16
|
169
|
70
|
72
|
7
|
35
|
6
|
0
|
22
|
3
|
|
Qalqylia
|
13
|
198
|
60
|
52
|
13
|
22
|
5
|
0
|
00
|
2
|
|
Tulkarem
|
16
|
199
|
77
|
12
|
33
|
21
|
7
|
0
|
27
|
0
|
|
Jenin
|
17
|
250
|
99
|
61
|
9
|
50
|
8
|
1
|
24
|
2
|
|
Gaza
|
37
|
900
|
220
|
143
|
59
|
134
|
15
|
4
|
|
|
|
Jericho
|
13
|
106
|
35
|
75
|
9
|
20
|
3
|
0
|
00
|
1
|
|
TOTAL
|
178
|
2912
|
884
|
712
|
215
|
557
|
79
|
10
|
121
|
17
|
NOTE: For rural women credit project see earlier support projects.
PROJECT WORK
1. Training
Training unit is a new one in PARC. It was established in order
to identify the training needs of the institution, developing
the training methods of the institution, and to contribute to
the establishment of Agricultural Training Institute. It was
noticed that a good part of activities were concentrated on
crop and animal production and women unit. This unit played
an essential role in 1995, identifying PARC’s training needs,
and organizing the training process, as well as supervising
the training of agronomists at the Agricultural Training Center
and training programs with local and external institutions.
This unit is supervised by three employees, two in the West
Bank and one in the Gaza strip.
a. Training of Women
Training is one of the main activities of the women unit. It
aims at providing rural women with the necessary skills which
enable them to best care for their families and improve their
income, subsequently consolidating their self confidence.
The following training courses were held during the year:
|
AREA
|
LOCATION
|
BENEFICIARIES
|
TOPICS TAUGHT IN ALL LOCATIONS
|
|
Hebron
|
13
|
242
|
1. Project administration.
2. Bee keeping.
|
|
Bethlehem
|
17
|
275
|
3. Ceramics.
4. Food processing
|
|
Jerusalem
|
14
|
210
|
5. Beatification.
6. Sewing
|
|
Ramallah
|
7
|
132
|
7. Drawing on silk.
8. Pastries
|
|
Nablus
|
2
|
36
|
9. House gardening
10. Sheep breeding
|
|
Qalqylia
|
9
|
142
|
11. Civil education
|
|
Tulkarem
|
7
|
140
|
12. Literacy
|
|
Jenin
|
9
|
135
|
13. First aid.
|
|
Jericho
|
3
|
45
|
14. Crop production (trimming and agriculture).
|
|
Gaza
|
13
|
207
|
15. Social counseling.
16. Non - agricultural courses formed nearly half of the
total course activity.
|
|
TOTAL
|
94
|
1564
|
|
The courses were executed in 94 locations, (54 courses in the
locations, and 16 central courses comprising 30 locations). Number
of beneficiaries was about 1564.
There was also a central course which dealt with women leadership,
the first implemented by the unit. Three other courses were
also organized in the field of administration which targeted
women getting loans, or work in productive projects.
b. Central Training of Farmers.
| Number |
Course Subjects |
Location |
Duration |
No of Participants |
| 2 |
Modern bee- keeping |
Bethlehem & Hebron |
33 training hours |
33 farmers |
| 2 |
Vegetable cultivation |
Ramallah & Tulkarem |
30 hours |
30 farmers |
| 1 |
Modern bee keeping |
Jenin |
11 hours |
15 women |
| 1 |
Agricultural machines |
Nablus |
30 hours |
10 farmers |
Training farmers in various technical fields including plant and
animal production was executed in 150 locations during the year.
At least 2500 farmers benifeted .
c. Training of teachers
- 23 Teachers of Private Schools of East Jerusalem joined a
training program on various plant and animal production, in
correspondence with different phases of the teaching process.
d. Training of Agronomists
· Sixth and Seventh Training Course in Jericho.
These courses are part of a series of similar courses targeting
newly graduated agronomists mainly. 17 agronomists joined these
two courses and were trained for one year in plant production,
irrigation, seed production and farm management. The training
was practical and theoretical, and comprises preparation of
land, building the green houses, all through the agricultural
processes ending with the marketing of agricultural produce,
as well as agricultural machinery.
e. Training of Staff
Training Courses Organized by PARC in cooperation with Other
Local institutions.
At least 54 employees took part in various training courses
organized in cooperation with other institutions. Number of
courses attended was 33. The courses comprised a wide rage of
topics which included administration and financial management
of small projects, water and soil analysis, pesticides and biological
control, seed production. The Bir Zeit University and Bethlehem
university were among the training institutions.
17 employees benefited from courses held out of the country.
APPLIED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Applied research activities and experiments during the year
aimed at increasing productivity, lowering production cost and
adopting new technologies. Major research activities conducted
in 1995 can be summarized as in the following:
1. Demonstration and Experiment Stations
a. Gaza Demonstration Station
Four demonstrations were organized as follows:
1. Heat sterilization
2. Organic farming demonstration without using chemicals.
3. Demonstration on pepper plantation after covering with black
nets with high capability of shading.
4. Demonstration for planting water-melons on wires
b. Jericho Demonstration and Experiment Station
1. Demonstration on the use of hormones for eggplant flowers.
2. Pollination of tomatoes in greenhouses by Bumble Bees- pollination
and chemical pollination,.
3. Demonstration on early new varieties of grapes.
4. Organic farming without using chemical treatment in zucchini
,. beans, potatoes thyme:
c. Demonstration in mountainous areas.
· In farmers’ land, Some experiments were done on grapes, almonds,
in the Hebron area, olives in the Ramallah area, medical herb
in the Tulkarem area, fodder plantation in Jenin area, natural
resistance of insects in the Bethlehem area.
2.Plant Production:
Breeding work continued to develop the productivity of local
eggplants, squashes, hot pepper and wild cucumber (faqqous);
the earlier production of runner beans and the resistance of
eggplants, squashes and wild cucumber to major local diseases.
Work on rainfed tomatoes and onion continued.
A UNAIS seed project worker carries out this responsibility
in coordination with the extension unit.
3. Animal Production:
a- The utilization of Acacia as green fodder. Samples were
monthly analyzed in Bethlehem University.
b- The use of Urea as a nitrogen supplement in animal ration
has been evaluated. A second experiment has been planned. Cooperation
with VSF continued to investigate other by-products suitable
for animal feeding. Citrus pulps and poultry litter are extensively
discussed.
4. Food processing
a- Through the technical committee (TC) many successful experiments
for different food processing technique were achieved. The results
were applied.
b- A cooperation channel with the Faculty of Science and Technology
(Abu-Dees) with the Women’s Unit in the field of medicinal herb.
Mutual proposal is drafted to establish a natural oil extraction
unit.
5. Other Activities:
a- PARC has become a full member of IFOAM ( International Federation
of Organic Agriculture Movement). Work is active to establish
a certification program for organic production in Palestine.
b- PARC’s research program and ILEA ( Information Center of
Low External Input Agriculture ) contracted to translate ILEA
book “Farming for the Future” to Arabic for the Middle East.
The work includes some changes in the book to the local and
Middle East experience in traditional and sustainable agriculture
SUPPORT PROJECT
Several projects were implemented during the year, to support
extension both in crop and animal fields.
1. Agricultural Roads:
Concentrated efforts were exerted during the year on opening
agricultural roads in the mountainous areas, particularly in
the lands threatened with confiscation which farmers want to
cultivate. Noticeable interest on the side of farmers was seen
in opening agricultural roads and recognizing their importance.
PARC staff also proved much experienced in reducing the cost
of opening roads and encouraging farmers contribution to it,
as well as in choosing the necessary locations.
The following roads were opened during the year:
| Region |
No of Roads |
No of direct Beneficiaries |
Road Length in KM |
| Hebron |
5
|
174
|
12.9
|
| Tulkarem |
16
|
270
|
19.8
|
| Ramallah |
1
|
43
|
7
|
| Nablus & Salfeet |
40
|
1242
|
103.8
|
| Gaza |
3
|
60
|
7.5
|
| TOTAL |
63
|
1769
|
151
|
2. Land reclamation
As a result of vast Israeli settlement of land confiscation,
farmers paid utmost attention to the reclamation of their land,
and cultivating it with trees, particularly in the areas next
to Israeli settlements threatened with confiscation. There was
great demand ,and we were not able to meet all of it due to
the lack of necessary funds, and lack of bulldozer owners who
are interested in doing land reclamation. It should be mentioned
that bulldozer maintenance is normally high, and land reclamation
entails frequent bulldozer maintenance.
The following areas were reclaimed during the year with the
use of PARC’s bulldozers:
| Region |
No of locations |
Total reclaimed area in dunums |
No of direct beneficiaries |
| Ramallah |
4
|
193
|
44
|
| Nablus |
7
|
216
|
52
|
| Tulkarem |
12
|
557
|
96
|
| Hebron |
2
|
385
|
61
|
| TOTAL |
25
|
1351
|
253
|
3. Fruit Tree Project
Tree sapling plantation is considered one of the most important
activities of PARC’s core program, the work on this project
is being executed on five years. In the course of 1995, the
project was more comprehensive. Trees distributed are those
kinds the fruit of which do not face any marketing problems,
and contribute to food security.
The following table shows tree distribution in various regions.
| Region |
Peaches |
Apples |
Plums |
Almonds |
Pears |
Palm |
No of locations |
No of beneficiaries |
| Tulkarem |
1694
|
903
|
2870
|
2003
|
61
|
-
|
17
|
216
|
| Hebron |
2013
|
1447
|
4467
|
6827
|
231
|
-
|
14
|
106
|
| Ramallah |
444
|
2319
|
1281
|
1150
|
280
|
-
|
32
|
105
|
| Jenin |
2319
|
2824
|
1463
|
6786
|
-
|
-
|
21
|
68
|
| Nablus |
1415
|
2378
|
1213
|
706
|
46
|
-
|
25
|
189
|
| Bethlehem |
1203
|
1593
|
465
|
510
|
239
|
-
|
11
|
77
|
| Jericho |
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
392
|
5
|
36
|
| Gaza |
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
510
|
7
|
45
|
| TOTAL |
9080
|
11464
|
11859
|
17982
|
857
|
902
|
132
|
842
|
The total number of distributed saplings during the year was 52144
saplings, which is an average of 70 saplings per farmer or 2 dunums
per farmer.
4. Spraying Campaigns
This project aimed at raising farmers’ awareness on disease
prevention, through extension and financial participation.
a- Figs spraying campaign
This campaign was concentrated in the Ramallah area due to
the fact that fig trees are considered an economic produce and
the fig insect is the main source of crop destruction.
| Location's name |
No of Farmers |
No of dunums |
| Beit Allu |
6
|
104
|
| Deir Ammar |
2
|
27
|
| TOTAL |
10
|
131
|
Farmer’s participated in 50% of the campaign’s cost.
b- Olives Spraying Campaign
This campaign was concentrated in two areas in Jenin, olive
crop is considered the most important crop in Jenin.
This campaign took 5 days and served 26 farmers and 150 dunums
of olive trees.
Farmer’s participated in 50% of the campaign cost.
c- Apple trees spraying campaign
The project was implemented with the help of the Farmer’s Union
in one location, and was funded jointly by PARC and the farmers
themselves. Around 13 dunums were sprayed serving 70 farmers
in Kabalan village.
5. Green Hand Program
The program aimed at raising the environmental awareness through
planting forest trees in public places in villages like schools,
streets, parks cemeteries and other public areas with trees.
Leaflets, posters on the program and the adequate means of
plantation were distributed as well as 5168 saplings were distributed
as follows:
| Area |
No of participant schools |
No of trees |
| Hebron |
14
|
1050
|
| Bethlehem |
10
|
1200
|
| Tulkarem |
4
|
995
|
| Ramallah |
1
|
500
|
| Nablus |
3
|
1423
|
| TOTAL |
32
|
5168
|
6. Alternative Fodder Project
a. Planting acacia trees
Work has been done on the Acacia program 7600 saplings were
planted in the Hebron area. Percentage of success was 25% only
due to plantation negligence, 1010 saplings were planted in
Nablus and Jenin and the percentage of success was 65%.
This project successfulness was not as expected and the project
was discussed in details with VSF in order to have a suitable
mechanism for the project, especially fencing the acacia saplings.
An acacia leaf analysis is done in the labs of Bethlehem university,
the aim of this analysis is to calculate the nutrition value
of these feeds in order to recommend it to farmers
b. Olive Cake Project
This project started in CO-operation with VSF and in later
stages the project was financed through a grant from the British
Consulate and was completed after two one-day workshops, at
Al-Najah university and at Hebron university .
One hundred tons of animal feed with a 20% content of olive
cake were made available.
The total number of beneficiaries from the northern and southern
parts of the West Bank was 55 farmers distributed over 31 locations.
7. Model Farm Project at Beit Dajan
- The farm was established on May 1st 1995, after which training
started.
- Training was held for women working in the women’s unit from
different areas.
Students of Al -Najah university are trained at the Beit Dajan
farm on farm management. An agreement was signed between PARC
and the university to conduct this training. The number of visits
to the farm during 1995 total 75 including visits made by farmers
and Palestinian universities.
8. Rural Women Credit Project.
This project aims at training women to establish their own
projects, and giving them small loans, with very small interest
for the purpose. The project started three years ago. Concentration
was made on raising sheep, cows, bees and women productive cooperatives.
This program covered the following locations in 1995: Gaza,
Maithaloon, Bani Nu’im Yabrud, Bethlehem, Salfeet, BirZeit,
Yutma, Ein Duke, Tireh, and other areas. 65 loans were granted
so far, with an average of $ 2000 -$ 5000, and a maturity period
of two years. This project was evaluated positively by experts,
and repayment rate was about 90 percent, which is considered
high in comparison with repayment rate in similar projects targeting
men. It is worth noting that part of this project is financed
by RDI and SAAR.
9. Agricultural Machinery project
This project was established in Jericho in 1995 as part of
the Agricultural Training Center in Ein Al-Sultan, with the
generous support of Peace & Solidarity foundation in Spain.
The Project is providing services to farmers in the field of
agricultural machinery in their fields, with cost prices. At
the same time, training courses were organized for farmers in
the field of maintenance of agricultural equipment and tractors.
Primary results show that the project income covers its running
costs. This is the first project of its kind in Palestine. Planning
is underway to establish similar centers in the future in other
areas. This however will proceed after the project is evaluated
and results ascertained that it can cover its expenses. Turning
it into a cooperative is also considered.
10. Marketing
Marketing faced many problems over the year ,most important
of which is the closure and curfews imposed by the Israeli authorities.
This situation has led to the sharp deterioration in the prices
of products inflicting losses on farmers . Chances for exporting
products were also not favorable at the end of the year.
Palestinian Agricultural Marketing Association PAMA continued
its work although less effective,. We can say that we have gathered
a better experience than before , and explored new horizons
for the export of medicinal herb. Preparation for future organic
cultivation is also under way.
Agricultural Services Center doubled its quantity of local
almonds to Oxfam in Belgium. . Olive oil, dried medicinal herb
and pickles were also successfully marketed. New opportunities
of marketing were also opened in Germany and other countries.
The essential problem however remains that PARC does not have
the possibilities to establish a marketing infrastructure which
includes packing centers, refrigerators, and the lack of capital
which permits exporting large quantities.
11. Falamiyah project
This project which started in the village of Falamiyah in
the northern sector of the West Bank in 1993 has been proceeding
according to the plan. It is supposed to end in the end of June
1996. Cooperation was enhanced during the year among the French
ministry of agriculture, AMFP, PARC, the French consulate in
Jerusalem and farmers of the village which helped in accelerating
the project progress.
Achievements during the year comprised opening all planed agricultural
roads, the reclamation of the area of land as planned, starting
the construction of the Women Farmers Society premises, starting
the construction of two water reservoirs, activating the role
of the Farmers Committee in the village and organizing a training
course on bee keeping.
12. Alternative to Chemical use:
Special pamphles dealing with means and methods aiming at reducing
the use of chemicals were issued and distributed among famers
in large quantities. PARC is currently preparing for a more
practical effort in the field of organic farming. This will
include biological control, using bumble bees in pollination,
and using natural fertilizers.
PROJECTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
PARC is trying to strengthen its relations with local and international
institutions that work in rural development with equivalent
strategies and goals.
In the course of the past year PARC has done several joined
projects, with other NGOs especially with Catholic Relief Services
(CRS) and Save the Children.
1- Projects with CRS
A task force from PARC, CRS and other local institutions selected
20 villages in which to work for the next three years in areas
of water, agriculture and gender. PARC’s role in the project
was supervising opening new agricultural roads, already in three
villages. PARC also contributed with agricultural extension,
and digging collection wells and land reclamation.
2- Joined projects with Save the Children
PARC worked with Save the Children during the year on projects
of land reclamation, almond trees cultivation, opening agricultural
roads, in Tarqumya, Halhoul, Kharas, Wadi al-shaier, and Salfeet,
as well as distribution of saplings on farmers in Jenin, Hebron,
Tulkarem, Nablus, and Bethlehem.
In Gaza, PARC worked with Save the Children in several projects,
including encouraging farmers to use bumble bees for insemination
of vegetables, and in a project of collection of rain water
in green houses.
3. Cooperation with local institutions:
PARC’s women unit and other units and sections cooperated with
a number of local institutions. Among these institutions are
the following: Palestinian Consultancy center, Family planing
Society, Medical Relief Committees, Women Study Center, Bisan
Center, Women legal and Social Consultancy Center, Women Team,
Hydrology Group, Man’s Land Society, National Center for Joint
diseases, IFIS, Ministry of Planing, Ma’an Development Center,
College of Science at the Bethlehem University, College of agriculture
at an-Najah university, Union of Churches in Gaza, Women training
center of UNRWA in Gaza.
PARC is also proud to maintain good relations with a number
of consulates and diplomatic missions in Jerusalem and autonomous
areas. Such relations are particularly good with the Spanish,
French and British consulates.
Income Generating Projects
PARC continues strengthening income generating projects it
established or in which it is a partner. No new projects were
established during the year. The aim of these projects is to
cover part of the running costs of the institutions and to reduce
dependency on foreign aid. Most of these projects are new, and
expected income did not materialize as yet with the exception
of the banana project and green house project in Jericho, and
the sale of part of land which was bought in the past. The fact
that PARC in 1994 covered only 30 percent of its running costs
from the profits of the income generating projects, left negative
effects. This however forced PARC not to take part in the many
projects it was offered to take part in. We are trying to save
part of the income of these projects to invest in other projects,
through a budget separate from PARC’s services budget. We hope
Political conditions will improve in the near future in favor
of investment in Palestine.
PUBLIC RELATION
New staff at the public relations office were employed after
old staff resigned and joined foreign institutions who pay better
salaries. The new staff had to be trained. Relations with the
Consortium institutions with Novib and ICCO from Holland, Christian
Aid from the U.K., Iepala from Spain, F.O.S. from Belgium, were
good and cooperative. Relations with the later however remained
unclear. Two institutions joined in the consortium, NRD from
Norway and EZE from Germany. PARC was able to sent all reports
and necessary information to partner institutions,, in some
cases however there was delay as a result of staff change and
difficult political conditions, including closure and curfews.
PARC was able to establish distinguished relations with some
local institutions, in implementing projects, including Catholic
Relief Services, and Save the Children. Such relations were
also established with a number of international institutions,
including IFAD, and Aidos .
We also exerted efforts with in Scandinavian countries to establish
distinguished relations with the Farmer Union. We are in continued
contacts with diplomatic representatives and consulates in Jerusalem,
providing them with information and reports on our activities
and agricultural situation . We were always ready to receive
delegations from abroad be they political, economic, or solidarity.
We can say that the PR office which employs three people, is
now working better than before, despite difficulties of access
to Jerusalem due to the closure, a thing which sometime delay
part of the work.
INFORMATION DIVISION
The Agricultural Information center ( AIC) reached a better
quality of performance both in terms of the scope of stories
covered and the timing and quality of extension material issued
to farmers.
Coverage of the various aspects of the agricultural sector,
its achievements, plight, need for development, opinions of
farmers all found a welcome place in the AIC publications.
The following are some of the AIC activities over the year
in brief:
1. The Arabic monthly newspaper (Al - Mulhaq Al - Zira’i):
This 12 page agricultural publication is the only one published
in Arabic in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
12 issues came out during the year 1995 and 8000 copies were
distributed free of charge in various farmer communities
2. PARC News:
Three issues were published during the year, and distributed
to 350 readers in various countries in the world..
3. Extension Pamphlets:
Six extension pamphlets on various topics of great importance
to the farmers were prepared by the extension unit and published
by the center. The pamphlets are normally distributed free in
tens of thousands of copies to farmers.
The center provided the local written and audio press with
several news stories and features related to the agricultural
sector. A number of local journalists were also hosted to cover
certain activities.
CONSULTANCY UNIT
In 1995, the Unit’s work focused on different aspects of evaluation.
The Unit has been developing new methodologies for evaluation
in PARC, and carried out evaluations on the following:
- Applied Research: to look at how to structure applied research
in PARC and improve communications with the Applied Research
Coordinator
- Women’s Cooperative Program: to look at the achievements
of this program and what its future direction the program should
take
- Women’s Credit Program: to evaluate the implementation methods,
pay back system and review progress so far.
- Fruit Tree Development Program: to review the program, to
look at implementation methods, and assess the aims and targets
of the program
- Finance Unit communications: to assess the effectiveness
of financial communications between units
- Administrative Evaluation: assisted in a review of PARC’s
administration processes
- Core Program: preparations for an evaluation of the overall
work of PARC (to be carried out early 1996)
The Consultancy Unit worked on planning work as follows:
- IFAD/FOS Extension Program: the Unit participated in a team
to prepare a plan for market oriented extension services in
the Jericho and Gaza regions
- Assisting the Extension and women unit in planning activities.
- The unit provided data and research needed for PARC work
,and helped in the preparation of a number of papers.
During 1995, the Unit also began preparatory work on developing
a PME system for PARC.
THE GENERAL COMMITTEE FOR LAND DEFENSE
Since its establishment, PARC played an important role in the
battle over land against the occupation policies. This was manifested
in tree planting campaigns and the preparation and presentation
of reports to military courts, this was considered as free extension
service given to land owners.
The beginning of year 1995 witnessed a dramatic increase in
resisting settlement expansion. PARC continued its tree planting
campaigns, this time with an emergency fund . Instructions were
given to all PARC’s employees to pay special attention to this
emergency program and assist in its implementation.
During the first quarter of 1995 PARC succeeded in implementing
this program in 26 areas in the West Bank. 8660 olive and other
seedlings were planted at a total cost that was paid for by
PARC.
These campaigns encouraged the establishment of the land defense
committees which emerged during rallies and anti settlements
campaigns. Later on these committees merged into one West Bank
general committee. PARC was considered an active and important
partner in this group. At least seven newly elected members
in the Palestinian Council have recently started to actively
participate in the committee. Presence of some authority officials
in the committee is also noticed.
FARMERS UNION
PARC and the Farmers Union have come to formulate a joint vision
on the nature and structure of the Farmers Union. It was agreed
that the Union should be an umbrella organization which comprises
farmers groups that are established on the bases of specialties
and regions, like banana growers in Jericho, protected agriculture
society in Qalqylia, and bee-keeper society.
These efforts have opened new horizons before agricultural
organizations. Organized movements of certain producers sectors
were noticed in 1995, this included movement of onion producers
in the Jenin area, in order to find solutions for their marketing
problems, and movement of plum growers in Beit Ummar and Hebron.
This form of organization is expected to contribute to lay
the foundations of establishing a civil society and proliferate
democracy. PARC will maintain good relations of cooperation
on reciprocal bases with these groups and with the umbrella
organization.
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
The executive board of PARC held 32 meetings in 1995. The general
strategy was to work as a team and develop the level of joined
responsibility in addition to the delegation of authority to
the managers in their different areas. This gave the director
general a chance to follow up public relations, planing and
instructing .
Developments over the year included the following:
1. Reviewing PARC’s By- laws by a special committee which included
people from the board as well as from outside the institution,.
Adjustments were introduced on the by- laws . A new provision
was introduced which is most significant namely establishing
a general assembly which is referred to as the higher legislative
body in the institution, as well as the owner of the institution.
They assembly is consisted of 60 people of PARC founders, employees,
board of trustees, farmers, volunteers, social , national and
friendly figures.
2. A new financial system has been endorsed by the board of
trustees, and went into effect in 1995.
3. The board of trustees ended its period at the end of 1995,
in preparation for new elections, on the bases of the new by-laws
which goes into effect on May 1, 1996.
4. The team of financial administration was replaced with a
better qualified personel.
The administration instituted a policy that forbids dealing
in cash and transfers all currency dealings to the banks including
salaries, purchases, ....etc
5. Dramatic and successful solutions were reached for the problem
associated with the Gaza branch, this was reached with the least
possible financial losses and employee moral problems. This
enabled PARC to resume work efficiently and quickly..
6. Develop an administrative system in conjunction with the
needs of PARC as a professional institution that depends on
the experience and efficiency of its staff as the main source
of development.
7. Raise the standard of living and employment conditions including
the development of clear job descriptions and letters of assignments
that retail authority and responsibility of each employee.
PREVIEW
For PARC, activities of 1995 were distinguished as the bulk
of work executed exceeded what was originally planned, particularly
in cooperation with other institutions. The quality of work
was also improved, and use of time, material as well as human
resources including employees and volunteers was brought to
a higher level.
PARC deems its plan for 1996 as concentrating mainly on strategic
approaches towards food security. Consequently special concentration
will be paid to rainfed areas, better identification of the
targeted groups, better aid to farmer unions, organizing of
farmers, involving women in all PARC projects. PARC will also
concentrate its efforts on reducing running costs, training
of workers in various administrative, and developmental aspects.
We will also concentrate on emergency projects with the aim
of creating job opportunities, production of food provisions,
and supporting the peace process, in cooperation with other
institutions, . We will continue to support and defend the distinguished
role of Palestinian NGOs in establishing a civil democratic
society and helping the agricultural sector in general and needy
farmers in particular, as well as establishing beneficial and
reciprocal relations with the Palestinian National Authority,
making PARC long and unique experience available to those who
care to benefit from it.
END
