Farmers in the Gaza Strip began harvesting the wheat and barley season, which came this year at an average rate of production due to the lack of rain.
The rituals of planting and harvesting wheat and barley are part of the Palestinian heritage, in addition to its nutritional and economic value for farmers, through the grain it provides in addition to straw and hay for livestock breeders.
Nabil Abu Muammar, a wheat and barley farmer, says, “As for the crop, it depends on its quality. If it is abundant, the farmer benefits from it by selling it in the market, and if it is not abundant, he benefits from it as flour for his children. This year’s crop ranges between fifty and sixty percent compared to previous years.” “.
The area of land cultivated with wheat and barley in Gaza is estimated at about 20,000 square kilometers. Half of this area cultivated with wheat produces about two thousand tons each year.
Although this output is not comparable to what Gaza imports of wheat annually, at a rate of 61,000 tons, according to the latest statistics for last year, harvesting these crops provides a job opportunity for many young, unemployed graduates.
Nasr Jabara, a wheat and barley farmer, said, “For me, I graduated ten years ago, and I resorted to manual labor in harvesting or vegetables and anything in order to get a job.”
In addition to manual harvesting, machines for harvesting wheat and barley are involved in large fields, helping farmers to separate grain from chaff and hay that are sold to livestock breeders.
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2023-05-25 13:22:46
