Funded by: Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
Co-Funded by: Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB)
Project Partners: San Jose State University Foundation and Hebrew University
Starting Date: January 2006
Ending Date: August 2007
The project aims to improve food security of 287 poor and marginalized households (3.3% of total population community) in 10 villages of Bethlehem Governorate through engaging in dryland farming improvement programs, water resource management and green houses construction with increased capacities, skills, and community participation. During the project period three interventions will be implemented: dryland farming programs, Green houses construction, and water management program. 1200 dunums will be targeted for the cultivation of rainfed field crops and forages. 197.6 tons of cereal and legume seeds and 296.4 tons of hay are expected to be produced over the two years. In addition the project aims to establish 15 top-roof rainwater-harvesting cisterns with a capacity of 70 cubic meters per year at household level (15 beneficiaries). The collected water will be mainly utilized to irrigated 15 dunums of vegetables, herbs, and trees where 22.45 tons, 16.7 tons, 18.5 tons of vegetables, herbs, and trees will be produced respectively. Another 32 Green houses will be constructed over 20 dunums. It is expected that 321 tons of fruits and vegetables would be produced at the end of the two years. The following is the location of the constructed cisterns for home gardens supplementary irrigation in targeted villages of Bethlehem district.