Gaza's farmers are using every last remaining patch of unspoiled earth to grow food amid severe shortages of water, fertiliser, and pesticide, with more than 80% of greenhouses ruined. Venturing into the open to tend to crops can be deadly, according to a report from The Guardian. The struggle to rebuild domestic food production comes as the territory's 2.1 million people are hemmed into an ever smaller slice of land, facing a deepening humanitarian crisis.
As the conflict in Gaza grinds on, farmers are fighting a quiet battle to keep agriculture alive under extreme conditions. The Guardian reports that with severe shortages of water, fertiliser, and pesticide, and more than 80% of greenhouses destroyed, growers have resorted to using every tiny patch of land that remains unspoiled by bombardment. Clearing debris and coaxing new seedlings into life requires inventiveness and determination—but going out into the open to tend plants carries mortal risk.
The challenges are immense. Years of blockade and repeated military operations have stripped Gaza of much of its agricultural infrastructure. Greenhouses that once provided vegetables for local markets lie in ruins. Water for irrigation is scarce due to damaged pipelines and saltwater intrusion. Even basic inputs like fertiliser are virtually unobtainable. The Guardian notes that farmers have been forced to clear land by hand, often under fire, and that many have been killed or injured while trying to grow food for their families and communities.
The agricultural crisis compounds a wider humanitarian emergency. The United Nations and aid agencies have repeatedly warned that the population of Gaza is at risk of famine. With imports heavily restricted and domestic production collapsing, food prices have skyrocketed. The few farmers still able to harvest crops must often sell at a loss through informal channels, as markets and distribution networks have been destroyed.
Despite the dangers, many farmers say they have no choice but to continue. Growing food is one of the few ways to survive when aid deliveries are sporadic and insufficient. Some have turned to rooftop gardens and hydroponic systems, but these small-scale efforts cannot fill the gap left by the loss of farmland and greenhouses.
The Guardian's report highlights the human cost of the agricultural struggle. It quotes unnamed farmers describing the heartbreak of watching crops wither from lack of water or be destroyed by shelling. The psychological toll is also heavy: farmers who have tended the same land for generations now face the prospect of losing it entirely to the conflict.
International organisations have called for a ceasefire to allow agricultural rehabilitation, but political solutions remain elusive. Without security, access to inputs, and the rebuilding of greenhouses, Gaza's agricultural sector will continue to shrink, deepening dependence on external food aid.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Gaza's food production collapse deepens the humanitarian crisis, pushing 2.1 million people closer to famine and increasing reliance on imported aid that is often blocked or delayed.
- The targeting of agricultural infrastructure—greenhouses, wells, farmland—raises questions under international humanitarian law about the destruction of civilian livelihoods and food systems.
- If farmers cannot safely cultivate, Gaza risks permanent loss of agricultural knowledge and soil fertility, making post-war recovery far more difficult.
Background
Gaza's agricultural sector has been steadily eroded since the imposition of the Israeli-Egyptian blockade in 2007. Restricted access to inputs, limited fishing zones, and periodic military operations have devastated farmland. During the 2014 war, the United Nations estimated that agricultural losses exceeded $200 million. The current conflict, which began in October 2023, has inflicted even heavier damage. According to satellite analysis and reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization, more than 80% of greenhouses have been destroyed or severely damaged. The shrinking of the so-called "safe zone" has also forced farmers to abandon orchards and fields that now lie inside active combat zones. Efforts to rebuild are stymied by the ongoing violence and a blockade that restricts the import of seeds, fertiliser, and irrigation equipment.
Key Perspectives
Gaza's farmers: Their primary concern is survival—both for themselves and their families. Many continue to plant and harvest despite the risk of death, because farming is often the only source of food and income. They plead for a ceasefire and access to basic agricultural supplies.
Humanitarian organisations (UN, FAO, WFP): They stress that agricultural recovery is essential to prevent famine and reduce dependency on external aid. They call for safe access to farmland, unrestricted import of agricultural inputs, and protection of farmers under international law.
Israeli authorities: They argue that security concerns and the need to prevent militant use of agricultural areas justify restrictions on land access and input imports. They maintain that farming in certain zones endangers both farmers and soldiers.
What to Watch
- Farmer casualties and attacks on agricultural infrastructure in the coming weeks as indicator of the safety situation.
- Changes in border crossing policies for agricultural goods and inputs (e.g., seeds, fertiliser, irrigation pipes).
- Any ceasefire or temporary truce that could allow a planting window for winter crops.
- Reports from FAO and WFP on crop yields and food availability in Gaza during the next harvest season.