Gaza’s Agricultural Sector in Ruins, UN Reports Dire Famine Risk

Devastation of cropland and infrastructure threatens livelihoods and food security
IDF soldiers pose for a selfie amid Gaza's rubble.
IDF soldiers pose for a selfie amid Gaza's rubble.Photo shared on X - Public Domain.
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A recent geospatial assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) reveals that less than 5% of Gaza’s cropland remains cultivable, intensifying the region’s looming famine crisis.

Over 80% of the Gaza Strip’s 15,053 hectares of cropland — 12,537 hectares — has been damaged, with 77.8% inaccessible to farmers, leaving only 688 hectares (4.6%) available for cultivation.

The situation is most severe in Rafah and northern governorates, where nearly all farmland is unusable.

Widespread Destruction of Infrastructure

The assessment highlights extensive damage to Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure, with 71.2% of greenhouses and 82.8% of agricultural wells destroyed as of April 2025.

Rafah saw a sharp increase in greenhouse damage, rising from 57.5% in December 2024 to 86.5% in April 2025.

This level of destruction is not just a loss of infrastructure – it is a collapse of Gaza’s agrifood system and of lifelines,said Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General, addding:

What once provided food, income, and stability for hundreds of thousands is now in ruins. With cropland, greenhouses, and wells destroyed, local food production has ground to a halt. Rebuilding will require massive investment – and a sustained commitment to restore both livelihoods and hope.

Beth Bechdol.

Famine Threatens Entire Population

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis warns that Gaza’s 2.1 million residents face a critical risk of famine after 19 months of conflict, displacement, and restricted humanitarian aid.

Between April 1 and May 10, 2025, 93% of the population — 1.95 million people — were in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse, with 244,000 in Phase 5 (Catastrophe), facing starvation.

Projections indicate 470,000 people could reach Phase 5 by September 2025.

FAO estimates agricultural damages and losses since 2023 exceed $2 billion, with reconstruction costs at $4.2 billion.

The agency urges immediate restoration of humanitarian access to avert further catastrophe.

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