Ministery of Agriculture: Slaimiya launches an institutional movement from Hebron... Agriculture is at the heart of the equation of resilience and development.

• Unifying national efforts to serve farmers and protect the land.
• Supporting agricultural education and expanding partnerships with academic institutions.
• Following up on environmental projects and consolidating sustainable agricultural development.

Hebron: July 9, 2026
Minister of Agriculture, Professor Rizq Slaimiya, conducted a field visit to Hebron, which included several official and academic institutions and local bodies. This visit was part of the Ministry's efforts to unify national efforts and enhance cooperation and integration among various partners, serving the national interest in protecting the land, supporting farmers, strengthening the resilience of citizens, and consolidating sustainable agricultural development. The Minister was accompanied on the tour by the directors of the Agriculture and Veterinary Directorates in Hebron Governorate, as well as a number of department directors and Ministry staff.

The Minister began his tour with a visit to Hebron District Commander, General Jamal Asia, where they emphasized the importance of integrated roles among national institutions in supporting the resilience of citizens and strengthening the agricultural sector, considered a cornerstone of steadfastness on the land. He also visited Hebron Municipality, where he met with Mayor Yousef al-Ja'bari and members of the municipal council. The two sides discussed implementing projects to construct agricultural roads and plant trees in targeted areas, as well as the possibility of supporting the construction of a new municipal slaughterhouse. They also discussed strengthening joint efforts to protect agricultural lands and confront attacks by the occupation and settlers.

As part of his support for agricultural education, Minister Slaimiya visited Hebron University, where he met with the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Suzan Al-Ja'bari, the University President, Dr. Raghad Dweik, and the Academic Vice President, Professor Dr. Radwan Barakat. They discussed prospects for cooperation in developing agricultural education and scientific research, and encouraging students to enroll in agricultural specializations. This aims to contribute to preparing qualified personnel, enhancing food security, and supporting agricultural development. He concluded his tour with a visit to Beit Kahil Municipality, where he met with Mayor Muhammad Al-Asafra and members of the municipal council. They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in implementing agricultural and environmental projects that support the resilience of the local population.

The Minister concluded his tour with a visit to Wadi Al-Qaf National Park, where he reviewed the progress of the botanical garden project being implemented by Palestine Polytechnic University under the supervision of Dr. Rami Arafeh, with funding from the Global Environment Facility. He emphasized the importance of environmental and educational projects in preserving natural resources and linking them to sustainable agricultural development and serving the local community. Slaimiya stressed that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to work with various national and academic institutions and local bodies, based on a firm conviction that protecting the land and enhancing the resilience of farmers is a shared national responsibility, and that unifying efforts and integrating roles form the basis for implementing sustainable development projects that strengthen the Palestinian presence on its land and support the agricultural sector in facing challenges.