The Ministry of Agriculture and the Municipality of Al-Bireh sign a memorandum of understanding to establish a central forest nursery and support farmers

- Slaimiyah: "Water, Food, Survival" is the equation of Palestinian resilience.

- Establishing a central forestry nursery in Al-Bireh to produce 50,000 seedlings and support farmers.

- Agricultural partnership to promote afforestation, compost production, and expand agricultural extension services.

Ramallah: March 30, 2026

The Ministry of Agriculture and Al-Bireh Municipality signed a memorandum of understanding today, Monday, at the Ministry's headquarters in Ramallah, to enhance joint cooperation in the fields of agriculture and environmental development. This will be achieved through the establishment of a central forestry nursery in Al-Bireh, contributing to supporting farmers' resilience and strengthening vegetation cover, especially in light of the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

The project aims to produce approximately 50,000 seedlings on an area of ​​two dunams (2 hectares), including forest, rangeland, ornamental, native, and olive trees. This will bolster afforestation and land reclamation efforts, contribute to rangeland rehabilitation, and support livestock. During his speech, Minister of Agriculture Professor Rizq Salimiya emphasized that this step comes within the framework of confronting the destruction inflicted on the agricultural sector by the occupation and settler attacks, particularly the targeting of the olive tree, considered a Palestinian national symbol. He stressed that "water, food, and survival" represent the equation of Palestinian resilience at this stage.

Slaimiya also called for strengthening home gardening and relying on recycling, especially given the shortage of fertilizers and the need to utilize vegetable market waste. He also emphasized the importance of managing available resources efficiently, given the impact on vital sectors such as animal feed, pesticides, food, and water. He pointed out that the Palestinian people possess accumulated experience based on community solidarity, enabling them to overcome these circumstances.

For his part, the Mayor of Al-Bireh, Mr. Islam Al-Taweel, stressed the importance of establishing a central nursery to serve the governorate. He noted that the project is intended to compensate for the nursery that was destroyed in the village of Kafr Malik. He explained that the municipality will work to distribute tree seedlings to affected farmers and anyone wishing to plant, encourage home gardening, and utilize uncultivated land to protect it and strengthen the resilience of its owners. The memorandum of understanding also includes cooperation in compost production from organic waste, implementation of agricultural extension programs and veterinary services, and the launch of initiatives in urban agriculture and food production, all aimed at enhancing food security and environmental sustainability.

The signing of this memorandum coincided with the commemoration of Palestinian Land Day, reaffirming the commitment to the land and strengthening the resilience of farmers in the face of challenges.