Agronomist Rebuilds Seed Bank in Gaza Amidst Conflict and Food Insecurity
Agronomist Salama Ayesh Muhanna is working to reconstruct the Al-Qarara seed bank in Gaza, which was destroyed during recent bombardments. Muhanna, along with his daughter Hanadi and other farmers, is collecting and preserving local plant seeds from a tent in a displacement camp in Deir al-Balah. The original seed bank, established in 2017, housed 70 tons of various seeds, including cowpeas, watermelon, and sage, along with necessary equipment, all of which were lost. The current effort focuses on gathering local varieties of wheat, okra, and spinach, which are more resilient to drought, fungi, and pests. This initiative aims to protect Palestine's agricultural heritage and support farmers in achieving self-sufficiency, especially as Gaza faces severe food insecurity, with 1.2 million people affected and less than 5% of agricultural land accessible. The project also contends with challenges posed by climate change, which can delay planting and harvesting schedules.
