"Ministers of Agriculture and Industry Present ‘Bal Jab’ Certificates to 81 Palestinian Farmers to Promote Good Agricultural Practices"
Ministers of Agriculture and Industry Present "BAL-GAP" Certificates to 81 Palestinian Farmers to Promote Good Agricultural Practices
Ramallah – The Palestinian Standards Institution, in cooperation with the Islamic Relief France, held an event on Monday to distribute Good Agricultural Practices (BAL-GAP) certificates to 81 farmers from Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to support and develop the Palestinian agricultural sector, strengthen the resilience of farmers in targeted areas, improve agricultural quality and productivity, and deliver safer, healthier products to Palestinian consumers.
The project, “Building Community Resilience and Improving Livelihoods and Food Security through Good Agricultural Practices (BAL-GAP),” is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and Islamic Relief France (SIF). It is implemented by the Palestinian Standards Institution and An-Najah National University, represented by the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and the Center for Energy, Water, and Food Security Research. The project team works on training and assisting farmers to obtain the BAL-GAP certification in partnership with the Palestinian Economic and Social Development Center (ESDC) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).
The event took place in the hall of the Agricultural Engineers Association and was attended by about 50 farmers from various villages and towns in the northern governorates, along with representatives from the private, civil, academic sectors, and donors. Speakers emphasized the importance of adhering to good agricultural standards, highlighting their role in enhancing food security and achieving self-sufficiency.
Samir Farah, Head of the Agricultural Engineers Association, expressed pride in honoring this new group of farmers awarded the BAL-GAP certificates. He stressed that these certificates help improve the quality of Palestinian agricultural products and enhance their competitiveness in local and international markets.
Minister of Agriculture, His Excellency Rizq Salimiya, described the certificates as a strategic step toward sustainable agricultural development. He affirmed the ministry’s ongoing support for farmers and the entire agricultural sector and praised the BAL-GAP system for its role in qualifying farmers and improving production quality.
Minister Salimiya added that this project aligns with the Palestinian government's vision to raise the quality of Palestinian products, thereby enhancing their regional standing and opening export opportunities. This, in turn, strengthens the ability of Palestinian citizens to withstand the challenges posed by the Israeli occupation.
Minister of Industry, Mr. Arafat Asfour, emphasized that supporting the agricultural sector requires integration with the industrial sector to achieve the desired economic progress. He noted that farmers receiving these certificates gain access to new markets, contributing to the national economy.
Asfour added that the Palestinian Standards Institution has ensured all BAL-GAP specifications are available free of charge and has worked to reduce certification costs so they do not burden farmers but rather support and empower them to sustain their work, thus enhancing their resilience amid ongoing economic and social challenges.
He further stated, “The Palestinian government, through the Ministry of Industry and the Standards Institution, is committed to supporting our farmers and national industries and achieving sustainable development across all vital sectors. The certificate distribution we witness today is a clear demonstration of this firm commitment to building a strong and resilient economy based on quality and excellence.”
Dr. Aql Abu Qar’ah, project manager funded jointly by Islamic Relief France and the French Development Agency, praised the effective role of joint projects in empowering Palestinian farmers. He emphasized that farmers' commitment to good agricultural practices guarantees safe and distinguished agricultural production, both for local consumption and export, protects the surrounding environment and fragile natural resources such as water and soil, reduces chemical use, ensures the safety of farmers and their families, and enhances their ability to face environmental and economic challenges.
During the event, Engineer Shahda Awadallah from the Palestinian Economic and Social Development Center presented on marketing BAL-GAP agricultural products. He explained the economic benefits of the program, noting that the return on investment in the project is high, increasing the profitability per dunam by more than 20%, which has saved farmers over three million shekels in production inputs and fertilizers.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to the farmers amid feelings of pride and accomplishment. Participants affirmed that the joint efforts between governmental institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations will contribute to building a strong and sustainable agricultural sector.