Lasting Agriculture Versus Lasting Occupation

The farmland of Battir.

The village straddles B and C areas, falling under administrative and military Israeli control. It is surrounded on one side by the separation wall and on the other by two settlements, Bitay Illet and Walja. If the settlements continue to expand at their current rate, they will soon merge, further isolating Battir. The village is one of fourteen such ‘blockations’ in the West Bank. Available land has been steadily decreasing since 1949, when the Israeli Government began building a railroad through the village.

Despite these restrictions, Battir’s farmers retain faith that with determination and effective use of their natural resources, the good years will return. Today they are working with The Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem (ARIJ) in order to maximise the results of their agriculture.

We attended a workshop day in which twelve representatives of the village, of different ages, gender and background, engaged with ARIJ workers on potential new innovations. “The purpose of such a day is for us to collect as much information as we can on the social, political and environment levels and for them to find, by thinking together, the sources of the problems and their solutions” explained the moderator.

ARIJ/Battir workshop session.

ARIJ seeks to promote sustainable development in the occupied Palestinian territories and the self-reliance of the Palestinian people through a greater control over their natural resources. Workshops have also helped to raise awareness among people, promoting environmental education as well as sustainable agriculture. “Usually the ones who come are already willing to change the way agriculture is applied” said the moderator.

For the people of Battir, the biggest problem is access to water. “We have springs. Unfortunately, because of the water restrictions, we are not allowed to use them all”, explained Itadal, a member of the village council. Indeed, the inhabitants have access to running water only five hours a day, most of the time in the evening, which makes the way they live and cultivate much harder.

The wall has separated farmers from their fields. “Our land is shrinking”, said Itadal, “it is become too small, and too used up, without the time it needs to regenerate”. Farmers have been forced to graze their animals excessively due to reduced space. ARIJ have criticised the practise, stating it “decreases the local productive capacities of the communities”.

As the workshop closed, participants were asked to find solutions to their problems. Ending the occupation was a popular suggestion, as well as Itadal’s plan for a new well to collect water. “We also need rehabilitation of water pipes and springs,” she added, “and we must request the administration of agriculture to give us training”. Following the workshop, ARIJ will continue its projects here and in other villages. The inhabitants of Battir will ask for a permit to build their well. But success or failure will not be self-determined. The villagers must wait and see what new hardships the occupation will inflict on them.