15/11/2021 | Press Release: With European Union support, the Galilee International Management Institute and the Palestinian Center for Research and Agricultural Development organized a Cross-Border Olive Picking

The Palestinian Centre for Agricultural Research and Development “PCARD” and its partner Galilee International Management Institute “GIMI”, launched an olive picking event, as an activity within the “IMPACT” project funded by the European Union, in Deir Hanna, Galilee.

The Delegation of the European Union in Tel Aviv; represented by Gosia KOWALCZYK, First Secretary, Head of Trade and Economic Section and the European Union Representative Office in Jerusalem; represented by Marzia Dalla Vedova, Programme Manager, Governance and Conflict Resolution participated and were accompanied by representatives of the Israeli Olive Oil Council, Volcani Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, oil companies, group of farmers and other IMPACT beneficiaries.

During the event, the participants assisted the farmers in olive picking, followed by a visit to the olive oil press. The delegation met with IMPACT beneficiaries, and discussed their experience with IMPACT and how the project added value to their olive business.

Dr. Mazen Ali a member at the Israeli Olive Oil Council said “This event is a great opportunity for olive producers to share knowledge and experience in addition to finding solutions for common problems facing both farmer’s groups”.

On the other side, Mr. Salah Abu Eisha; General Manager of PCARD, said: “it is fundamental to support olive farmers and help them in promoting their products as one of the main pillars of the agricultural trade in Palestine. PCARD considers this sector as a priority within the EU-funded “IMPACT” project.

Gosia Kowalczyk from the EU Delegation said: “The EU is proud to fund this initiative, aimed at creating bridges between Israeli and Palestinian farmers and providing grounds for knowledge sharing”.

The European Union, through the “Peacebuilding Initiative” programme, supports different projects in many sectors, such as the “IMPACT” project, which targets Palestinian and Israeli farmers in enhancing the promotion and trading of their agricultural products across borders.