Farmers in the Gaza Strip are attempting to revive food production amid widespread destruction, but severe shortages of land, supplies, and infrastructure are undermining recovery efforts.
Once a region with a strong agricultural base, Gaza now faces a drastic contraction in farming capacity. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, approximately 86% of agricultural land in the territory has been severely damaged, with greenhouses, irrigation systems, orchards, and wells largely destroyed.
Limited Areas for Cultivation
Farmers say that agricultural activity is now confined to small pockets such as Khan Younis, particularly the Muwasi area, and parts of Deir al-Balah. These areas, however, are insufficient to support Gaza’s population of around two million people.
Ahmed al-Astal, a farmer who previously owned land, described the scale of the decline:
“You’re talking about 2 million Gazans as opposed to 10% of agriculture after it was 100%. We used to have a surplus in agriculture and high quality, but today you have shortage in supplies and fertilizers and scarcity in seeds.”
Rising Costs and Resource Shortages
Farmers report acute shortages of fertilizers, seeds, and basic agricultural inputs, making cultivation increasingly difficult. Ibrahim Abu Shehab, another farmer, said these constraints are also driving up food prices in local markets.
For civilians, the impact is immediate. Asrar Qadih, a displaced resident from eastern Khan Younis, described how rising prices have altered daily life:
“Vegetables are expensive today. We used to buy two or three kilos. Now, we only buy one or two pieces.”
Displacement and Food Insecurity
Repeated displacement has further disrupted farming cycles, with many residents returning to find crops destroyed or abandoned. Large portions of farmland are either inaccessible or repurposed as temporary shelters for displaced populations.
Humanitarian observers warn that the collapse of local agriculture is exacerbating food insecurity and increasing reliance on external aid. Without sustained access to land, inputs, and infrastructure, Gaza’s ability to rebuild its agricultural sector remains highly uncertain.
