Palestinian Agriculture Minister: Malaysia can build sustainable farming partnerships

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia can turn its continued solidarity with Palestine into a sustainable partnership with Palestinian farmers by cooperating in three key areas to help the agricultural sector recover and enable farmers to earn a living from their land.

Palestinian Agriculture Minister Prof Dr Rezq Salimia said the three areas include rehabilitating damaged farms and agricultural infrastructure, strengthening cooperation between academic and agricultural institutions in both countries, and expanding market access for Palestinian products in Malaysia.

"Malaysia can turn its concern and solidarity into a sustainable partnership with Palestinian farmers.

"I welcome cooperation in three practical areas," he said in a recent interview on Bernama TV's The Nation Diplomatic Dispatch programme titled "Palestine Beyond the Headlines: The Battle for Land and Livelihoods."

Elaborating on the first area, Salimia said rehabilitating water systems and greenhouses, providing sustainable farming inputs and helping farmers replace damaged equipment could support agricultural recovery, including in parts of Gaza where safe access is possible.

On the second area, he proposed partnerships between universities, agricultural institutions and cooperatives in both countries through joint research, technical exchanges and training programmes to improve water efficiency, develop food processing industries and support farming projects led by women and young people.

On the third area, Salimia called for greater access for Palestinian products, particularly olive oil and dates, to the Malaysian market, stressing the need for reliable buyers, fair prices and long-term purchasing agreements to help farmers plan and invest.

"We produce more than 28,000 tonnes of dates, and we need markets like Malaysia to be open to our producing communities," he said, adding that cooperation should involve Palestinian institutions and local producers, with clear targets and transparency.

Expressing appreciation for Malaysia's continued solidarity with Palestine, Salimia said: "A sustainable partnership will enable more Palestinian families to earn a living from their land.

"This will give the solidarity that our people deeply appreciate ... real and practical strength." — BERNAMA