Seeds of hope: how a local farming project is offering a lifeline to Gaza
Summary
Salama Muhanna, a farmer and seed bank founder in Gaza, and his daughter Hanadi are working to save and grow local seeds to support farming in the area. Their project helps Palestinian farmers access local seeds amid war, blockades, and food shortages, aiming to improve food independence in Gaza.Key Facts
- The Al-Qarara Seed Bank was founded in 2017 near Gaza’s eastern border but was destroyed during a military campaign.
- Muhanna and his daughter moved to Deir al-Balah and restarted the seed bank in a displacement camp.
- They focus on preserving local, open-pollinated, non-GMO seeds like wheat, okra, and spinach that are resistant to drought and pests.
- The project helps farmers who cannot afford imported seeds due to blockades and high food prices by loaning seeds, which farmers return after harvest.
- About 200 farmers have benefited from the seed distribution supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
- Gaza faces severe food scarcity with 1.2 million people in urgent need of food aid.
- Israel continues to restrict access to farming land, seed imports, and fertilizer, worsening the agricultural crisis.
- The seed bank aims to promote food sovereignty, which means Palestinians can grow their own food sustainably despite challenging conditions.
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