Ibrahim’s story *

Ibrahim* in his greenhouses where strawberries, aromatic herbs and most recently, pineapples grow (2019).

13/11/2019

OVER TIME, I REINVESTED PART OF MY INCOME INTO EXPANDING MY OPERATION.

From a vulnerable father to a dynamic entrepreneur, Ibrahim* was one of the first to receive Caritas support to strengthen a sustainable and diversified rural economy activity in the Jenin countryside in Palestine. Five years later, he has a thriving business. Take a look back at his never-ending success story.

Let us first make the introductions: Ibrahim is the father of a large family and he also takes care of his disabled sister. They experience the consequences of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict daily since they live in Area A in the West Bank. Even though the area is under the “Palestinian Authority,” Israel retains control over all water resources; this is the main challenge for farms.

To support Ibrahim and his family, Caritas trained him in various organic farming techniques. Thus, he was able to develop a system for growing strawberries in greenhouses using suspension. “Over time, I reinvested part of the income into expanding my operation,” he describes. Today, the result is spectacular!

Organic Agriculture

He grows aromatic herbs among strawberries. “So I use space optimally, while using a natural and effective method against certain insects and parasites.” In a second greenhouse, he also started growing pineapples – soon there will be nearly 16,000 pineapples ready for sale!

I will soon open a small restaurant with traditional dishes cooked with my own produce.

- Ibrahim

His entrepreneurial spirit does not stop there. “My business attracted a lot of interest from students, farmers and even tourists,” Ibrahim says with humility and pride. “I then saw the next step – opening a small restaurant. So I will soon be offering traditional dishes cooked with my own products.” For this new project, Ibrahim can count on Caritas support.

With this project, Ibrahim has not only emerged from a long term precarious situation, but this dynamic entrepreneur is now offering jobs to his family as well as to the inhabitants of his neighborhood. For this, he can continue to count on the technical advice of Caritas and the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture because both parties want his business to last!

Alias

As a reminder, the West Bank is divided into three zones: A, B and C. Zone A is largely controlled by the Palestinian Authority. In Zone B, jurisdiction is divided between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Within Area C, Israel controls more than 60% of the area, therefore Israel exercises almost complete control. Even though Israeli settlements in the West Bank violate international law, there are now more Israelis than Palestinians in this area.