Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute - December 31, 2008 - Back to Resources Page

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The agricultural sector is an important sector in any economy. It is the
main source of income to farmers. In addition, the agricultural sector is the
main source of producing food to farmers and other groups of the
population.

However, it the most vulnerable sector among the economy’s producing
sectors particularly because agricultural production is affected by factors
outside the control of farmers. The most important of these is weather
conditions.

Palestinian farmers are not alone in often having to face the undesirable
weather conditions of frost and drought. These unfavorable conditions are
of great concern to farmers since production, and consequently their
income, suffers. In turn, food insecurity increases at the micro, farmer
level, as well as at the macro, country level.

The adverse effects of drought and frost in one year can extend many
years, since a farmer’s production capacity may remain low for a long
period. This is a knock-on effect of not having capital to invest since the
adverse weather conditions have partially or entirely eliminated their
income. This phenomenon is more pronounced and extreme in the case of
small farmers who have less ability to purchase what is necessary for their
operations.

To download the full report pleas click below:

Attachment	Size
Financing the Palestinian agri econ.pdf	151.96 KB

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Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute - December 31, 2008 - Back to Resources Page