More than 1,800 West Bank farmers who were unable to sell their olive oil due to Israeli measures have found a new buyer - the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).
Last month, the UN body used $1 million, donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to purchase 302 metric tons of the oil. In turn, WFP donated the product to needy families in Gaza Strip and the southern West Bank.
Working with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, WFP selected farmers from Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Salfeet and Qalqilya who had large families and lived under the poverty line of 25 Israeli shekels a day (about $5.50). Farmers were required to submit their olive oil for quality tests before WFP bought it, The Jerusalem Times reported.
Each farmer received 2,080 shekels ($458) for 160 kilograms of oil, or about 40 gallons. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
