The 45th Department in the Palestinian Countryside: The Minister of Agriculture and the Governor of Nablus inaugurate a new agriculture and veterinary office in the town of Beita to serve 27 rural communities.

• The Ministry of Agriculture inaugurates its 45th department in the Palestinian countryside to bring services closer to farmers and livestock breeders.
• Slaimiya: Agriculture is an ancestral legacy and the spirit of the struggle; it embodies the land, the people, and food security, serving as a pillar of steadfastness.
• The South Nablus Department serves 27 localities with a population exceeding 120,000, reinforcing the Ministry's presence in the field.

Nablus: October 4, 2026

On Sunday, Minister of Agriculture Professor Rizq Slaimiya and Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas inaugurated the South Nablus Agriculture and Veterinary Department in the town of Beita. The ceremony was attended by Beita Mayor Mahmoud Barham; Assistant Undersecretaries Ahmed Zakarna and Engineer Amjad Salah; the Minister’s Advisor for Governorate Affairs, Engineer Sameer Samara; and the Director General of Nablus Agriculture Directorate, Engineer Ziad Fadda. Also present were heads and representatives of local authorities, municipal councils, and regional institutions; representatives from the local community and Nablus Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and staff from both the Nablus and South Nablus Agriculture Directorates.

Slaimiya emphasized that the opening of this department aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture to intensify its presence in the Palestinian countryside and bring services directly to farmers on their land. He stressed that "agriculture is the spirit of the struggle—encompassing land, water, people, and food—and serves as a fundamental element of the struggle and steadfastness." He explained that this is the 45th agricultural and veterinary department opened by the Ministry of Agriculture in the Palestinian countryside, noting that the Ministry continues to expand by opening new agricultural departments and offices—even as many other services are contracting due to current circumstances.
Slaimiya also stated that the current phase requires drawing upon the lessons of the First Intifada and the experiences of the people in  Gaza Strip. This involves fostering integration, interdependence, solidarity, and resilience, as well as active engagement in production. He emphasized that agriculture is a cornerstone of food security and a vital factor in the community's ability to withstand exceptional circumstances.
He highlighted the importance of coordination with local government bodies, commending the local authorities that actively cooperated to bring about the department's opening. He noted that the Ministry’s presence in Beita through this department would enable it to serve a population exceeding 120,000 and bring veterinary and agricultural services closer to farmers and livestock breeders in the southern Nablus area.
For his part, Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas underscored the importance of the Ministry of Agriculture’s role in serving Palestinian farmers. He stressed the need for concerted efforts and cooperation among various institutions, particularly given the current situation and the attacks by settlers and the Israeli army .

Beita Mayor Mahmoud Barham also emphasized the value of the cooperation that led to the department's opening. He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture’s presence in southern Nablus ensures services reach farmers directly on their land, and affirmed the municipality's readiness to provide all possible support to strengthen the role of institutions in serving Palestinian citizens.