The Minister of Agriculture and the South African Ambassador to the State of Palestine discuss launching a new phase of agricultural and development partnership.

⭕ A memorandum of understanding is expected to enhance agricultural cooperation, trade exchange, and the transfer of modern technologies.

⭕ A joint development program encompassing agricultural education and training, technical exchange, and building upon the success of the "My Initiative" project.

⭕ An official invitation has been extended to the Minister of Agriculture to visit South Africa and sign future cooperation agreements.

Ramallah: July 12, 2026

The Minister of Agriculture, Professor Rizq Slaimiya, held a virtual meeting (Zoom) with the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the State of Palestine, Mr. Shaun Benfeldt, to discuss mechanisms for strengthening bilateral relations and advancing joint cooperation in the agricultural and development sectors. The meeting, which was also attended by the Director General of International Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Mahmoud Fatafta, aimed to coordinate technical and diplomatic efforts to broaden the horizons of partnership between the two friendly countries.

During the meeting, Slaimiya reviewed the priorities of the Palestinian government and the pillars of the Ministry of Agriculture's work in the current phase. He emphasized the deep historical ties between Palestine and South Africa and the aspiration to elevate them to a strategic partnership that translates into practical programs and projects serving agricultural development and strengthening the resilience of farmers. This includes developing agricultural education and training, as well as exchanging expertise and knowledge.

The two sides also discussed the practical steps necessary to finalize the signing of a comprehensive memorandum of understanding. This memorandum would encompass enhancing agricultural trade, transferring modern technologies, and cooperating in scientific research, agricultural extension, and capacity building, all of which would contribute to the development of the agricultural sector in both countries. The success of the "My Initiative" project, partially funded by South Africa, served as a model of fruitful cooperation. Both parties agreed to build upon this experience and expand it within a comprehensive development program in the coming phase.

The success of the "My Initiative" project, partially funded by South Africa, served as a model of fruitful cooperation. For his part, Ambassador Benfeldt praised the great potential of the agricultural sector in both countries, and the convergence of experiences and technical capabilities, stressing his country’s keenness to accelerate joint cooperation steps and move to the implementation phase. At the conclusion of the meeting, he extended an official invitation to the Minister of Agriculture to visit the Republic of South Africa at the head of a high-level technical delegation, to finalize and sign the cooperation agreements, signaling the launch of a new phase of agricultural and developmental partnership between the two countries.