In a step aimed at strengthening farmers’ resilience and supporting the water and agriculture sectors, several strategic partnership agreements were signed today under the LIFT Palestine – Livelihood, Infrastructure and Food Systems Transformation Programme. The signing ceremony was attended by the Governor of Jenin, Mr. Kamal Abu Al-Rub; the Director General of MA’AN Development Center, Mr. Sami Khader; and the Director of the Jenin Directorate of Agriculture, Mr. Bassem Hammad.
The agreements targeted several village councils and municipalities across Jenin Governorate, in addition to agricultural well owners. They aim to enhance coordination and complementarity among the public, civil society, and private sectors and to develop water and agricultural infrastructure in the targeted areas.
During the signing ceremony, Mr. Kamal Abu Al-Rub, Governor of Jenin, emphasized the importance of these vital partnerships, particularly under the current circumstances. He reaffirmed the governorate’s full support for all efforts that contribute to strengthening citizens’ resilience and steadfastness on their land and improving essential services.
The Governor of Jenin also commended the development role undertaken by MA’AN Development Center, represented by its Director General, Mr. Sami Khader, and all the institution’s staff, praising their tireless efforts and vital development projects. He noted that these agricultural projects strengthen farmers’ resilience and constitute a fundamental pillar in supporting the steadfastness of Palestinian communities on their land amid the difficult challenges facing the Palestinian people.
For his part, Mr. Sami Khader, Director General of MA’AN Development Center, presented the objectives of the LIFT Palestine Programme and the interventions planned throughout its implementation period. He stressed MA’AN’s commitment to implementing its projects in accordance with the highest standards of quality and efficiency and in partnership with official institutions, village councils, and municipalities.
Mr. Bassem Hammad, Director of the Jenin Directorate of Agriculture, expressed his appreciation to MA’AN Development Center for its complementary role in implementing these projects. He noted that the agreements would positively contribute to expanding irrigated agricultural areas and improving agricultural production across the governorate.
A total of seven agreements were signed with local authorities and private-sector partners to rehabilitate 6.5 kilometres of agricultural roads, equip two agricultural wells with solar energy systems with a capacity of 15 kilowatts for each well, and install four kilometres of water transmission pipelines.
These activities will be implemented in Kafr Dan Municipality, Al-Silah Al-Harithiya Municipality, Ta’nak Village Council, and Al-Taybeh Village Council.
Mr. Sami Khader expressed his sincere appreciation to the Governor of Jenin, Mr. Kamal Abu Al-Rub, for his continued support and sponsorship of development initiatives and projects that serve the people of Jenin Governorate and strengthen their resilience.
He also thanked Mr. Bassem Hammad, Director of the Jenin Directorate of Agriculture, for the fruitful cooperation and genuine partnership, which constitute an essential guarantee for the success of agricultural and development interventions in the area.
Khader also extended his gratitude and appreciation to We Effect and the Swedish Development Assistance for their continued support for Palestinian farmers and their contribution to providing grants and development interventions that enable farmers to develop their agricultural facilities, improve their production capacities, and strengthen their resilience on their land amid the increasing challenges facing the Palestinian agricultural sector.
Appreciation was also extended to the local authorities, including village councils and municipalities, as well as private-sector partners, particularly agricultural well owners. This integrated partnership among governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector represents the key foundation for achieving meaningful and sustainable development outcomes on the ground.
It is worth noting that this activity is implemented under the LIFT Palestine – Livelihood, Infrastructure and Food Systems Transformation Programme, which is financed by the Swedish Development Assistance, managed by We Effect, and implemented by MA’AN Development Center in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture.
