Ministry of Agriculture: The General Directorate of Extension and Rural Development launches a training program to enhance the efficiency of the livestock sector

Ramallah: April 22, 2026

The General Directorate of Extension and Rural Development at the Ministry of Agriculture launched a specialized training program entitled "Efficient Management of Ruminant Farms." This initiative is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to develop the livestock sector and enhance the skills of its workforce, in partnership with the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

This training falls under the project "Strengthening the Skills and Practices of Livestock Breeders at All Stages of the Animal Value Chain in the West Bank," funded by the European Union and implemented by FAO in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture. The project aims to improve the technical and administrative practices of those working in the sector.

The program saw broad participation from technical staff across the West Bank governorates. The training was geographically distributed to ensure accessibility for the largest possible number of extension agents and engineers. Nineteen engineers and extension agents from the southern directorates participated in the training in northern Hebron, eight trainees from the central directorates participated at the General Directorate's headquarters, and fourteen trainees from the northern governorates participated at the Nablus Agriculture Directorate.

The training targeted heads of rural development departments (rural extension workers) and livestock extension workers, focusing on equipping them with the latest scientific methods and field practices in ruminant farm management. This aims to improve production efficiency and the quality of livestock products, and enhance the extension workers' ability to transfer knowledge and modern technologies to farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture affirms that this program is part of its strategy to strengthen food security by developing the capabilities of extension staff and empowering them to support farmers and livestock breeders effectively. This, in turn, will positively impact the sustainability of the agricultural sector and improve livelihoods in rural areas.