Gaza seed bank rebuilds heirloom stocks after war damage

Gaza's Al Qarara Seed Bank is rebuilding its heirloom seed stocks from a tent in Deir el-Balah after its collection was destroyed during the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023.

The project, founded in 2017 with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross, stores indigenous seeds including wheat, barley, Swiss chard, spinach, parsley, courgette and okra. Heirloom seeds can be saved and reused, unlike many commercial hybrid varieties.

Salem Muhanna, who manages the project, said heirloom seeds helped people endure wartime shortages because they could be planted again and again. His daughter Hanadi Muhanna, who also manages the bank, said the fighting destroyed the bank and caused the loss of many seed varieties, while repeated displacement made restarting difficult.

The relocated collection is now held in sacks, plastic barrels and labelled tubs in Deir el-Balah.

Gaza's farming sector has been severely damaged. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said Tuesday that only three percent of cropland in Gaza remains accessible and undamaged. Before the war, agriculture, including crop production, herding and fishing, accounted for about 10 percent of Gaza's economy, the FAO said.

Osama Al-Mukhalalati, an economic security officer with the ICRC, said Gaza had been self-sufficient in fresh vegetables before the war and exported one-third of its production. He said agricultural output now cannot provide more than 10 percent of Gaza's vegetable needs.

The seed bank lends seed to trusted farmers, who return seed at the end of the season. Farmer Suleiman Abu Shamas said heirloom seeds became a safeguard when agricultural supplies were cut off and prevented from entering through crossings.