Palestine – Wheat and barley harvesting has started in Gaza

Location: Gaza – Palestine

Language; Arabic

Duration: 00:05:42

Sound: Natural

Source: A24 subscribers

Restrictions: A24 clients

Dateline: 19/05/2022

Storyline:

Harvesting wheat and barley in Gaza has started, with farmers and their families singing traditional tunes expressing their joy in reaping their fruits of labor. Farmers are trying this year to increase the agricultural land for wheat and barley in light of the crisis from the ongoing Russia- Ukraine war that has prevented importing large quantities of wheat. Palestinian families look forward to the harvest as it an essential source of income. Agricultural land in Gaza produce about 50 tons of wheat, which is not enough to cover all demand in the area. There is unprecedented increase in grain prices in Gaza, especially wheat, reaching an all time record.

Shotlist:

Soundbite (Ashraf abu Daqqa – Agricultural engineer):

            “This year, farmers are trying to increase the agricultural land for wheat, especially in border areas. The Russia-Ukraine war has caused a crisis and prevented importing large quantities of wheat. Agricultural land currently produce 50 tons of wheat, which is not enough to cover all demand in the area. The quantity is enough however to cover the shortage in wheat supply in Gaza.”

Soundbite (Hayat Qablan – Participant in the wheat harvest):

            “Harvest comes once every year. We harvest the wheat when it is ripe and ready. We wake up in the morning and head to the harvest, which includes singing and gathering with friends. We bring olive oil, thyme and olives, we cook the bread over fire and prepare coffee. We assign the tasks, some harvest while others cook”

Soundbite (Daifullah Abu Deeb – Farmland owner):

            “We used to take pride and joy in harvesting as if being part of a festival. We used to include our children in the work of planting and harvesting. We used to harvest with our hands.”

Soundbite (Ahmad Abureedah – Farmland owner):

            “We look forward to the harvest every year. The harvest starts in May or June. Each dunum needs 12-15 kilos of wheat to produce 200-300 kilos of wheat. This season is better than last year on account of the amount of rainfall. The harvest is an essential source of income to Palestinian families living to the east in the rural areas.”