SAFA — More than 90% of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip has been put out of service after nearly three years of war, while annual agricultural production has plummeted from around 450,000 tons to less than 30,000 tons, according to Nizar Al-Waheedi, former director general of planning and policies at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Al-Waheedi made the remarks during a discussion organized by Felesteen newspaper titled, “Agriculture and Livestock in Gaza After Three Years of War: What Remains and How Can Food Production Be Restored?”

He said the area used for vegetable cultivation has shrunk from around 93,000 dunums to approximately 4,000 dunums, while more than 1,233 agricultural wells and irrigation networks have been destroyed. Direct and indirect losses to Gaza’s agricultural sector have exceeded $3.5 billion, he added.

According to Al-Waheedi, overall agricultural production has declined by more than 80% compared with pre-war levels, while the sector’s operational capacity has fallen to less than 5%. Gaza has consequently shifted from partial food self-sufficiency to near-total dependence on humanitarian aid.

Despite the destruction, Al-Waheedi estimated that between 50% and 60% of damaged agricultural land could still be rehabilitated, while around 35% to 40% remains inaccessible, particularly in border areas.

He said between 85% and 90% of agricultural greenhouses have been destroyed, while land leveling and the movement of heavy machinery have stripped away fertile topsoil and caused extensive structural damage.

Al-Waheedi also warned that soil salinization, pollution and rising groundwater salinity threaten the long-term viability of agricultural land. The destruction of wells and irrigation networks, combined with power shortages, has further restricted farmers’ ability to resume production.

Efforts to Restore Agriculture

Despite severe shortages, Palestinians continue to cultivate small plots and containers, producing limited quantities of crops including pumpkins, tomatoes and cucumbers, Al-Waheedi said.

Farmers, however, face severe shortages of seeds and other essential agricultural inputs. He criticized Israeli restrictions on the entry of agricultural supplies, saying some food products are allowed into Gaza while materials needed to restore local food production remain restricted.

Al-Waheedi said the destruction of Ministry of Agriculture facilities, particularly its laboratories, has also severely undermined agricultural monitoring. Specialists are no longer able to conduct essential scientific tests on soil acidity, salinity, pollutants and agricultural products.

He criticized some international agricultural assistance as providing temporary solutions rather than addressing farmers’ long-term needs, calling instead for sustainable programs to rehabilitate farmland and restore local production.

Livestock Sector Devastated

Gaza has also suffered catastrophic losses to livestock production. Al-Waheedi said around 95% of cattle and other livestock have been lost during the war, while poultry and egg production have collapsed by approximately 99%.

Millions of birds have died because of feed shortages, power outages and the destruction of poultry farms, he said, further worsening Gaza’s food security crisis and reducing Palestinians’ ability to rely on locally produced food.

Agricultural Recovery Plan

Al-Waheedi called for an urgent strategic recovery plan centered on restoring water infrastructure, providing agricultural inputs and rehabilitating damaged farmland.

Repairing wells and irrigation networks should be the first priority, he said, alongside assessing Gaza’s remaining water resources and restoring agricultural laboratories.

He also called for the removal of mines, unexploded ordnance and rubble from agricultural areas to allow farmers to safely return to their land.

Hydroponic farming could provide another option amid the severe reduction in available agricultural space, Al-Waheedi said. He estimated that a significant portion of fast-growing vegetable production could be restored within a year if farmers receive sufficient water and agricultural inputs.

The poultry sector could also recover relatively quickly if animal feed and parent stock are allowed to enter Gaza.

Al-Waheedi stressed that restoring Gaza’s agricultural sector remains possible despite the enormous destruction, but requires opening crossings to essential agricultural and livestock supplies, rehabilitating farmland and water infrastructure, and providing sustained support to farmers and agricultural specialists.

Restoring local production, he said, is essential to rebuilding Gaza’s food security and reducing its dependence on humanitarian aid.