Small-scale farming projects are giving farmers in war-damaged Gaza a renewed source of hope after extensive destruction of agricultural land, greenhouses and irrigation systems. The report, published on August 16, 2026, says many farmers unable to return to their own land are trying to grow vegetables on rented small plots and in greenhouses. For some, these efforts provide both food production and a route back to earning an income.

According to Gaza's Government Media Office, more than 87 percent of the territory's agricultural land has been damaged or destroyed. Thousands of agricultural wells and farms have also been ruined, sharply reducing vegetable and fruit production. Agriculture department officials said soil rehabilitation, repair of water sources and irrigation networks, and supplies of seeds, fertilizer and farm equipment are necessary to make land productive again.

Despite limited land and multiple constraints, some farmers have restarted operations. With support from a Belgian development fund, one farmer built a greenhouse, earned enough to support a family and created jobs for two unemployed farmers. The report says broader rehabilitation and long-term assistance are needed for a full recovery of Gaza's agricultural sector.