Israel’s genocide has left Gaza with just 5% of its farm land remaining – thecanary.co

Report on the Food Security Crisis in the Gaza Strip and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: FAO Findings

A report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) details a catastrophic decline in the agricultural and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The findings indicate a near-total collapse of the food production system, placing the region among the world’s most severe food crises for 2024-2025. This situation presents a profound challenge to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Impact on SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The core of the crisis is the systematic destruction of food production capabilities, directly contravening the targets of SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

• Collapse of Local Production: The FAO reports a “near-total collapse of the agricultural and production system,” with local vegetable and grain production falling to less than 50% of previous levels.
• Food Insecurity: Over 90% of Gaza’s population is unable to access sufficient food, with approximately 2.2 million people in dire need of urgent assistance.
• Risk of Famine: The report warns that continued conflict and supply disruptions could precipitate a widespread famine unless immediate aid is permitted.

Devastation of Agricultural Infrastructure and Setbacks for SDGs 6, 8, and 11

The report documents extensive damage to essential infrastructure, undermining progress on several interconnected SDGs.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Access to essential resources for agriculture and community survival has been severely compromised.

1. Irrigation Systems: The majority of irrigation wells have been damaged, creating a severe shortage of agricultural water and impeding efforts to achieve sustainable water management (SDG 6).
2. Agricultural Infrastructure: Over 70% of agricultural greenhouses have been destroyed, crippling the infrastructure necessary for sustainable local food production (SDG 11).

SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The destruction of primary economic sectors has eliminated livelihoods and reversed progress on poverty reduction and economic stability.

• Loss of Arable Land: Less than 5% of arable land remains viable. Military operations have damaged over 80% of cultivated areas, with 77.8% now inaccessible to farmers, destroying the primary source of income for a significant portion of the population.
• Collapse of the Fishing Sector: Severe restrictions on fishermen’s access to the sea have damaged the fishing sector, exacerbating protein shortages and eliminating jobs, directly impacting SDG 8.

FAO Recommendations for SDG Realignment

The FAO has outlined urgent measures required to mitigate the crisis and begin restoring progress toward the SDGs.

1. Facilitate Humanitarian Access: Unimpeded entry of food and agricultural aid is critical to prevent famine and address the immediate needs outlined in SDG 2.
2. Provide Agricultural Support: To prevent a further collapse in local production, the urgent provision of seeds, animal feed, and materials for well repairs is necessary to support SDG 2 and SDG 8.
3. Rehabilitate Infrastructure: Long-term recovery requires the rehabilitation of damaged land and infrastructure to rebuild a sustainable food system in line with SDG 2 and SDG 11.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The article focuses entirely on the “near-total collapse of the agricultural and production system,” severe food shortages, and the risk of “widespread famine” in Gaza, which are central themes of SDG 2.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The article explicitly mentions the destruction of water infrastructure critical for agriculture. The damage to “most irrigation wells” leading to a “severe shortage of agricultural water” directly connects the crisis to SDG 6, specifically regarding water availability and management for food production.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: The article describes a situation where the population is becoming “almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid for their food.” This collapse of local livelihoods, particularly in the agricultural and fishing sectors, pushes the population into extreme poverty and dependence, which is a core concern of SDG 1.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article highlights a severe failure to meet this target, stating that “more than 90% of Gaza’s population is unable to access sufficient food” and “2.2 million people in Gaza are in dire need of urgent food and humanitarian assistance.”
• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers. The article describes the opposite of this target’s goal. The destruction of “more than 80% of cultivated areas,” the fact that “77.8% are now inaccessible to farmers,” and the “severe restrictions imposed on fishermen” demonstrate a catastrophic decline in the productivity and viability of small-scale food production.
• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production. The destruction of “agricultural infrastructure,” “more than 70% of agricultural greenhouses,” and “most irrigation wells” shows a complete breakdown of the food production system, making it neither sustainable nor resilient.
• Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. The article points to a critical failure in this area, noting that damaged irrigation wells have led to a “severe shortage of agricultural water,” directly impacting the water supply needed for food production.
• Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to… shocks and disasters. The article illustrates a complete lack of resilience, with the conflict acting as a severe shock that has led to the “near-total collapse of the agricultural and production system” and made the population “almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Prevalence of food insecurity: The statement that “more than 90% of Gaza’s population is unable to access sufficient food” is a direct indicator for Target 2.1.
• Agricultural land viability: The statistics “less than 5% of arable land remaining,” “more than 80% of cultivated areas” damaged, and “77.8% are now inaccessible to farmers” are clear indicators for measuring the state of agricultural systems under Targets 2.3 and 2.4.
• Agricultural infrastructure status: The destruction of “more than 70% of agricultural greenhouses” and damage to “most irrigation wells” serve as indicators for the resilience and capacity of the food production system (Target 2.4) and water infrastructure (Target 6.4).
• Local food production levels: The fact that “local production of vegetables and grains has fallen to less than half of its level two years ago” is a quantifiable indicator of declining agricultural productivity (Target 2.3).
• Dependence on humanitarian aid: The warning that residents “will become almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid” and that “2.2 million people… are in dire need of urgent food and humanitarian assistance” acts as an indicator for the lack of resilience and deepening poverty (Target 1.5).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thecanary.co