Quarries' Impact on Palestinian Agriculture and Fresh Vegeta...
Quarries' Impact on Palestinian Agriculture and Fresh Vegetables Farmers
Background & Introduction:
PVP - The Palestinian Farmers’ Union (PFU) in partnership with OXFAM, are implementing a project titled “Power of Voices Partnership, Fair4All” funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs which aims to increase the accountability of government, responsiveness, and fairness, through implementing better mechanisms related to agriculture policies that will achieve farmer aspirations and rights. Through the PVP project, we seek to contribute to achieving sustainability for Palestinian farmers and increase farmers’ awareness of their rights and their right to follow up and track the government’s failures in practicing agricultural policies that will have positive repercussions in the long run.
DGD - The Palestinian Farmers’ Union (PFU) in partnership with OXFAM is implementing a program and funded by DGD ( Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid ) titled Women, youth and other SSPs increase benefits in the fresh vegetable value chain as change agents” with 3 partners: Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC), Rural Women Development Society (RWDS) and Palestinian Farmers’ Union (PFU) to make the fresh vegetable value chain more inclusive, fair and sustainable.
CONTEXT
Quarries located in the West Bank take various forms and types (mobile and fixed quarries ), mobile quarries that operate within the expansion of settlements. These quarries extract sand used in construction and infrastructure development by digging and blasting mountains and rocks, then grinding the stones. They are primarily based on exploiting natural resources, at the expense of the environment and agricultural diversity in the area. There are currently more than 45 mobile quarries distributed throughout the main settlements in the West Bank. In addition, there are 11 fixed quarries that are licensed by the occupation and operate on a large scale and commercially. These quarries are constantly expanding on Palestinian land, causing more environmental disasters and significant changes in the land's topography.
BACKGROUND
According to a study conducted by the Land Research Centre , as of early 2016, about 11 quarries and mines are owned by Israeli companies that invest in Palestinian lands in the West Bank, producing an average of 3,050 tons of gravel, 1,590 tons of basalt and 3,030 tons of soft soil daily. About 94% of this production goes to the Israeli market and within settlements in the West Bank. The effect of quarries on Palestinian agriculture, specifically fresh vegetables, can be significant and negative. Quarries can lead to the loss of fertile farmland and the destruction of agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation systems. Dust pollution from quarries’ operations can also harm crops and make it difficult for farmers to work their land. Additionally, the blasting and excavation associated with quarrying can lead to soil erosion and landslides, further damaging farmland. Quarries also consume large amounts of water, which can lead to water scarcity for agricultural use. This can lead to reduced crop yields and a decrease in the overall agricultural productivity in the area. Overall, the presence of quarries in the area can negatively impact the livelihoods of farmers and the availability of fresh vegetables for local consumption.
PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY
(PFU) will conduct a study on the effect of stone crushers on Palestinian agriculture, specifically fresh vegetable. The study will involve a variety of research methods such as field observations, interviews with farmers, and data analysis to determine the specific impacts of quarries operations on agricultural land and production. The study will focus on key areas such as the loss of farmland, damage to infrastructure, pollution, water scarcity, impact on livelihoods, and socio-economic impact. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the specific ways in which quarries operations are impacting Palestinian agriculture and fresh vegetables. The study will provide recommendations per different relevant stakeholders to contribute in solving the obstacles and challenges within the current situation in a way that reduce the negative impact on the fresh vegetables sector.
Consultancy Objectives
- Determine Impact of quarries on Palestinian Agriculture and Fresh Vegetable Farmers such as the loss of farmland, damage to infrastructure, pollution, water scarcity, impact on livelihoods, and socio-economic impact. in addition to offer realistic and practical recommendations to support the fresh vegetables sector in the short and long time.
- Recommendations appropriate risk/ Impact -mitigating measures .
Please submit the proposal (separate technical & financial offer) and requested documents by inhaled envelopes to the Palestinian Farmers Union headquarters (al-Bireh, close to the representative office of the Netherlands) no later than the 15th of February 2023.
For more details, kindly check the enclosed TOR.
For any questions, feel free to contact the Project coordinator:
Amjad Anabtawi
0595221191
