Funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Bari Institute, and the Palestinian Employment Fund launched a project to expand plum cultivation in Dura under the "Sanet" program

Hebron: May 7, 2026

The technical committee at the Ministry of Agriculture received a pilot project for expanding plum cultivation in the Dura area, south of Hebron Governorate. This project falls under the "Supporting the Agricultural and Food Cooperation Network in Palestine (SANET)" initiative, implemented in cooperation with the Italian Institute for Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM Bari) and the Palestinian Employment Fund, and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The project was handed over in the presence of the Director General of Agriculture for South Hebron, Engineer Khalil Abu Aqifan, the National Coordinator of the SANET project, Engineer Awda Sabarna, and several specialized technical staff members from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The project aims to support the expansion of plum cultivation and promote sustainable agricultural development in the southern regions by providing an integrated agricultural infrastructure that contributes to increased production efficiency and improved crop quality.

The equipment and supplies delivered included four-year-old plum saplings, protective fencing, a modern irrigation network, a rubber water tank, and a solar-powered generator. This will contribute to enhancing the sustainability of the production process and reducing operating costs for farmers. The technical committee at the Ministry of Agriculture confirms that all equipment and supplies have undergone rigorous technical inspections to ensure their compliance with international technical specifications and approved quality standards, thus guaranteeing operational efficiency and the sustainability of agricultural production.

The Director General of Agriculture in South Hebron, Engineer Khalil Abu Aqifan, stated that these projects represent a genuine boost to the Palestinian agricultural sector, especially in light of the current economic challenges and circumstances. He emphasized the importance of expanding tree cultivation as a cornerstone of food security and a means of strengthening the resilience of Palestinians on their land.

For his part, the National Coordinator of the "Sanet" project, Engineer Ouda Sabarna, explained that the project's interventions align with the Ministry of Agriculture's strategy aimed at developing agricultural value chains, particularly in the tree crop sector. He noted that these projects will contribute to meeting the needs of the local market, reducing imports, and enhancing the competitiveness of Palestinian national products.