A new UN report by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Satellite Center has unveiled a stark reality: less than five percent of Gaza's cropland is usable amid ongoing conflict. Only 4.6% (about 688 hectares) of the region’s farmland remains fit for cultivation, dramatically reducing the food production capacity. 🚜
The assessment shows that 80.8% of Gaza's cropland has been damaged and 77.8% is inaccessible – with areas such as Rafah and almost all parts of northern Gaza facing severe disruptions. This drastic decline not only hampers agricultural output but also heightens the risk of famine in the region.
Gaza's agricultural infrastructure has also borne the brunt of the conflict, with 71.2% of greenhouses and 82.8% of agricultural wells damaged. Before the recent escalations, agriculture accounted for around 10% of Gaza's economy, supporting over 560,000 residents through crop cultivation, livestock, and fishing.
Beth Bechdol, deputy director-general of the FAO, stressed, "This level of destruction is not just a loss of infrastructure – it is a collapse of Gaza's agrifood system and of lifelines." Meanwhile, the conflict has already caused more than $2 billion in agricultural losses, and recovery and reconstruction efforts are projected to require roughly $4.2 billion. 💔
This unfolding crisis underscores the urgent need for global attention as Gaza faces severe challenges to restore its agrifood system and secure the livelihoods of its people.
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Conflict leaves less than 5% of cropland in Gaza usable, UN finds
cgtn.com
