Greenhouses and rented plots support Gaza farmers amid destruction

Greenhouses and rented plots have become essential assets for farmers in the Gaza Strip as they strive to sustain agricultural production amid widespread devastation caused by years of conflict. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, more than 70 percent of Gaza’s cultivated land has been damaged or rendered inaccessible, prompting growers to rely on makeshift structures and leased parcels in the southern and northern peripheries of the territory. International donors and local NGOs have facilitated the installation of over 1,200 temporary greenhouse units, allowing cultivators to protect seedlings from harsh weather and limited water supplies while mitigating the impact of intermittent power cuts.

The use of rented plots, often located on less contested ground, enables farmers to diversify crops and generate modest incomes despite restrictions on the import of seeds, fertilizers, and equipment. Agricultural cooperatives report that yields from these protected areas have risen by an estimated 30 percent compared with open‑field planting, providing a critical food source for families and contributing to the fragile local market. While the agricultural sector remains vulnerable to further damage from hostilities and blockades, the continued operation of greenhouses and the strategic use of leased land represent a pragmatic response that sustains Gaza’s food security and offers a pathway toward gradual economic recovery.