Ministry of Agriculture: Ramallah and Al-Bireh Agriculture Directorate and FAO sign investment support agreements within the (MAP II) program with a total value of (151,300) shekels

Ramallah: April 7, 2026

Ramallah and Al-Bireh Directorate of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), signed an agreement to support agricultural investment in the governorate. This agreement falls under the Multi-Donor Agricultural Business Program II (MAP II), which aims to promote market-oriented investments and innovations to develop a sustainable agricultural and food system in the West Bank.

The total value of the agreement is approximately 151,300 NIS. It includes the implementation of a range of diverse agricultural projects, including the development of a fruit farm and a food processing unit. These projects will contribute to strengthening agricultural value chains, increasing the added value of local products, supporting employment opportunities, and improving the income of farming families.

It is worth noting that the number of beneficiaries of the MAP II program in Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate has reached 29 to date, as part of ongoing efforts to expand the beneficiary base and maximize the developmental impact of agricultural projects. The agreements were signed at Ramallah and Al-Bireh Agriculture Directorate headquarters, in the presence of the Director General, Engineer Zafer Al-Hamshari, the project coordinator, Engineer Mu'taz Hamdan, and the FAO representative, Engineer Saleh Al-Ahmad.

Engineer Al-Hamshari emphasized that the signing of these agreements comes at a critical time for the governorate, necessitating intensified efforts to bolster the resilience of farmers, particularly in marginalized areas. He stressed that investing in the land is a fundamental pillar for strengthening steadfastness and survival, and that the Ministry continues to support farmers and develop their projects to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector.

He also commended the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and the FAO in enabling farmers to remain on their land, noting the importance of developing the agricultural sector due to its pivotal role in supporting the local economy and enhancing food security. The investment support agreements are being implemented within the framework of two projects under an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture. The Multi-Donor Agribusiness Programme (MAP II), entitled “Promoting Market-Oriented Investments and Innovations for Sustainable Development of Food and Agriculture Systems,” is funded by the governments of Denmark, Switzerland, Spain and the European Union, with parallel funding from the government of Italy, within the project “Promoting Innovative and Sustainable Market-Oriented Investments in the Agri-Food Sector in the West Bank.”