The Ministry of Agriculture participates in the opening of Battir Eggplant Market Festival and affirms its commitment to supporting farmers and protecting the Palestinian agricultural heritage.

Bethlehem: August 6, 2026

The Ministry of Agriculture, represented by its Undersecretary, Engineer Bader Hawamdeh, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Professor Rizq Slaimiya, participated in the opening of the annual "Battir Eggplant Market" festival in the village of Battir, Bethlehem Governorate. Also present were the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Hani Al-Hayek; the Minister of Local Government, Engineer Sami Hijjawi; the Governor of Bethlehem, Mr. Muhammad Taha; the Mayor of Battir, Engineer Akram Bader; the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Raed Muqbel; and a number of other official and community figures, as well as a large gathering of farmers and residents of the town.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, the Undersecretary conveyed the greetings of Minister Professor Rizq Salimeh to the participants, emphasizing that the Ministry views the Palestinian farmer as the cornerstone of protecting the land and strengthening resilience. He stressed that preserving agricultural lands is a national priority, particularly in the town of Battir, which represents a unique model combining agricultural heritage, historical value, and Palestinian national identity. He emphasized that Battir, with its global significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, necessitates a doubling of official and institutional efforts to preserve its agricultural and cultural heritage and enhance the sustainability of its agricultural activity. This will contribute to safeguarding the historical agricultural landscape and supporting the resilience of farmers.

He emphasized that the Palestinian farmer will remain the first line of defense for the land, and that supporting farmers and agricultural associations directly contributes to protecting agricultural lands and strengthening the Palestinian presence in the face of various challenges. He reiterated the Ministry of Agriculture's commitment to continuing the implementation of programs and initiatives that contribute to developing the agricultural sector and empowering its workers. The annual “Battir Eggplant Market Festival” is one of the agricultural and heritage events that celebrates the local agricultural product and provides a platform for marketing agricultural, and food manufacturing products for which the town is famous, in addition to cultural and heritage events that contribute to stimulating tourism and the local economy, and enhancing Battir’s position as one of the most prominent agricultural and heritage villages in Palestine.