FARMING IN PALESTINE
AN AGRICULTURE UPDATE
A biweekly newsletter of the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC)
Vol. 2, No.15 October & November- 1998
PARC is to be issued ISO 9002 certificate
PARC is to be the first non-profit NGO in the whole Middle East to obtain the ISO 9002 certificate. The authorized registration department of the International Standard Organization ISO 9000 has recommended early November to issued PARC the 1994/ ISO 9002 certificate for its projects, services, and administration.
The Organization’s decision culminated continued serious labor by PARC staff to match with the international standards. ISO officials were also monitoring the process, and carrying out various auditing to make sure of the progress and the necessary achievement. The rehabilitation of the staff was carried out by TEAM, a local organization of Arab experts in engineering and administration.
Delight spread among PARC staff upon the announcement of the decision. An advertisement was also published by the administration in the local press expressing thanks to TEAM, PARC staff, the ISO team at PARC, and to PARC quality director Nader Daqaq. According to ISO sources, PARC indeed is the first non- profit NGO in the Middle East to get the certificate.
staff
PARC inaugurates the Papaya park In Jericho
Parc inaugurated its Papaya park in Jericho yesterday under the auspices of Dr. Saieb Erekat Minister of Local government. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of guests from various parts of the West Bank, among of whom were Dr. Sami Musallam head of the presidents office in Jericho, the district chief of police, the chief of the National Security forces, the governor of the Jerusalem district and other leaders and figures. Addressing the audience, Erekat hailed the project and said that PARC was able to transform a barren land into a place for recreation. He added that the people who are capable of doing that can indeed establish the Palestinian state.
PARC Director General Ismaiel D’aiq also addressed the audience noting that the Park comprises three swimming pools, a zoo, an artificial stream 120 meters long and 25 meters wide, a zoo, educational glass bee-hives, a restaurant and a mini market as well as other facilities. D’aiq said that the park can also be used for educational purposes by schools. Other speakers also praised the project and PARC efforts. The park is occupying an area of about 50 dunums of land in the Ketf Al-Wad area of Jericho which was bought by PARC few years ago. The cost of the project is estimated at half a million dollars.
Al-Ayyam and staff.
PARC
Animal production
in Talkarem
Dr. Wajih Ghananyem from PARC in Tulkarem said that PARC vet specialists in the district conducted visits to 15 locations during which extension services were given to 370 farmers. The visits included 212 livestock farms, 22 cow farms, and 11 poultry farms. Extension was also given on means of raising the nutritional value of straw given to the livestock.
Al-Quds October 10.
New farm road in Allar
In Tulkarem, PARC has concluded working on a new farm road in the town of Allar. The road is 1400 meters long and 4-6 meters wide. The total cost was NIS 23000. Project supervisor engineer Shukri Sharkas said the road links the town with the town of Ateel and serves about 300 dunums of agricultural land that belongs to 20 farmers in both towns.
He noted that the road facilitates the access of farmers to their land and consequently improves the quality of farming.
PARC has also concluded reclamation of 10 dunums of land in the village of Kifa.
The Union of Agricultural Work Committees in Gaza planted trees around the Housing Ministry. The activity was part of a plan conducted by the Union to green areas in the strip. The Union is coordinating in this regard with various institutions.
Al-Quds, October 11.
PARC starts treatment against almond insect in Tulkarem
PARC started a campaign against almond insect in the Tulkarem region. According to agronomist Salim al-Karmi supervisor of the campaign, the insect causes great losses to the almond production in the country. He noted that almonds production is second only to olives in his district, as it occupies an area of about 100000 dunums.
Al-Hayat al- Jadidah October 14.
Inauguration of three women clubs in the West Bank
PARC’ Department of Rural Women Development inaugurated three women clubs in the West Bank.The three are located in Dair Jreer , Jama’in and Maithaloon.
PARC Agronomist Do’a al- Qutob said the clubs are provided with electrical equipment, libraries, and sewing machines. The agronomist said that PARC seeks to strengthen the role of rural women and the social relations among them in addition to establishing an atmosphere of cooperation in various fields. She noted that activities will be carried out through these clubs like agricultural extension, lectures, and other activities.
Al-Ayyam Nov. 1, 1998
Ministries of Planning and Agriculture sign a two million dollars agreement with Australia
The Palestinian National Authority signed an agreement with the Australian government yesterday according to which the latter is to provide the PNA with the sum of two million dollars over the coming five years for the support of the Palestinian agricultural sector. Dr. Samih Al-Abed deputy minister of Planning said that the objective of the agreement is to train the staff and specialists and to transfer modern technology to the field of agriculture. He said the agreement is among the agreements held with the Australian government which come to the value of 26 million dollars.
Excerpt from Al-Ayyam, October 20, 1998
Ministry of Agriculture signs a memo of understanding with NGOs
The PNA represented by the Ministry of Agriculture signed a memo of understanding with the Palestinian NGOs working in the area of agriculture. The memo aims at coordinating and activating efforts to rehabilitate the various components of the agricultural sector. The signing ceremony was held at the ministry offices in Al-Bireh following a meeting between minister and 14 Palestinian NGOs, in which the attendants discussed the implementation of the project of planting one million trees in the country this year. The minister announced that the government nurseries have already about 300000 forestry seedlings, noting however that the ministry will not compete with the private sector but that it is mainly concerned in restoring the confidence of the people in these nurseries.
According to PARC sources, the memo of understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and the NGOs included the following points:
1. Mutual cooperation for the development of the agricultural sector. 2. Avoiding duplication of work 3. mutual coordination and working together in the formation of the agricultural policy and long term strategic planning. 4. No interference in the internal affairs of any party. 5. Convening periodical meetings for the responsible people in the two parties for the sake of planning and coordination. 6. The relationship between both parties should