FLOODS OF RESILIENCE | Preserving Palestinian Agriculture in Sahl El Battouf
Agriculture is an inseparable part of the Palestinian Arab population’s identity and heritage, reflecting a profound historical connection to the land. Traditional farming methods have been passed down from one generation to the next for centuries, but the young generation has been driven away from this sector as a result of modernization processes which have made traditional agriculture unprofitable.
The Beit Netufa Valley is a key example of a region where local communities are fighting to preserve their agricultural heritage. This valley represents the last remnant of a once widespread mosaic landscape in Israel, but is facing many challenges that threaten its future. Firstly, seasonal flooding, which on the one hand damages crops and fields, but on the other hand, creates a humid habitat that is essential for the ecosystem. The second challenge is the national water carrier, which runs as an open canal for 17 kilometers through the valley, in contrast to the rest of its route, which is underground. This open canal creates movement and landscape disruptions, severing the connection between farmers and their land. Additionally, water resources are distributed unequally, which has led farmers to rely solely on rainfed agriculture.
The project focuses on sustainable agriculture rooted in the values of the Palestinian landscape and heritage, through the restoration and development of infrastructures as part of the ecosystem, creating a drainage and water pooling system, and exploiting excess water for summer irrigation. This approach leads to partial drainage, which enables preserving the seasonal habitat, while making agriculture possible.
Furthermore, the project proposes transforming the national water carrier strip, where one side would be developed as an extensive promenade based on ponds and green basins, while the other would be developed as an intensive linear promenade. These promenades would assimilate the values of the unique tradition, provide employment and education spaces for farmers, and encourage the young generation to practice research-driven agriculture alongside traditional farming methods. The project seeks to preserve and strengthen the connection to the land for the current and young generations, and ensure the continued survival of traditional agriculture, while creating a balance with the essential ecosystem, and thus turn the valley into a central attraction for the nearby villages and landowners.
