Sustainable Development Strategies of Agricultural Land in the West Bank: Tubas Governorate as a Case Study

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Type: 
Thesis
Year: 
2010
Students: 
Lamis "Mohammed Mamdouh" Abdel-Raouf Afaneh
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Abstract: 
This thesis addressed the study and analyze of the possibilities of sustainable agricultural development in the governorate of Tubas in the West Bank in Palestine, in the light of available information and data on agricultural land in the governorate as well as data collected by the author throughout the study and field survey. The main objective of this thesis is to identify the obstacles that impede the development of agricultural land in Tubas governorate and provide strategies concerned with maintaining this land and to achieve the most appropriate and sustainable use, taking into account the agricultural value of the governorate, in addition to the problems and challenges it face. The methodology of the study relied primarily on the descriptive and analytical method. Also, some tools of scientific research such as the questionnaire that was distributed to a sample of farmers and workers in the agricultural sector, as well as interviews with a number of stakeholders in the relevant authorities were used. The results showed a decrease in cultivated land in Tubas governorate in previous years, despite the diversity of agricultural land and its suitability for most agricultural patterns. Also the results indicated a trend towards the use of permanent agricultural land instead of the temporary use, and that there is an increase of rain fed agriculture more than the irrigated one. The study also showed a weakness in the level of agricultural guidance and farmers; awareness of sustainable farming techniques. Moreover, the results indicated that the reality and possibilities of sustainable agricultural development in the governorate is relatively medium, which is facing some problems and challenges. The study recommended the need to prepare physical master plan of land uses in the governorate, working to streamline the process of urban development for communities in the governorate, and achieve appropriate and sustainable use of agricultural land. In addition, it recommended the need to implement a guidance and training programs in the different fields of sustainable agriculture to change the negative trends and modify neutral attitudes towards sustainable agricultural techniques, as well as the organization of intensive media campaigns to educate farmers to this technology. Finally, the study emphasized the importance of creating a mechanism for the implementation and application of the Palestinian Agricultural Law, and find ways to support farmers to improve returns from agriculture and support the agricultural sector.