Sweet Potato Farming in Gaza Brings Cash and Tasty Treats
The health benefits of sweet potatoes are well known around the globe. But the healthy and delicious snack has even more value for some families in Palestine because sweet potato farming in Gaza is especially profitable for local farmers.
Atta Zoerob is a sweet potato farmer from Rafah in southern Gaza. He was born into a family with a deep love of agriculture who have farmed in Gaza for decades. “It’s not something I chose, it comes naturally since childhood,” said Atta. “All of my family appreciates nature.”
Farming can be a struggle, said Atta, due to Gaza’s bleak economy and the soaring prices of seeds and equipment. “The closure of Gaza’s borders means we have very little chance of exporting our produce,” he explains. “We can only sell it in the local market.” War has also taken a toll on the Gaza agriculture industry. “When my land was destroyed in the 2014 war, I had to quit what I was passionate about,” he said.
[Full article here | Photo by Mike Mozart]
