UAWC-Overview

Union of Agricultural Work Committees

I. Background

The Union of Agricultural Work Committees was founded in 1986 in response to the socio-political situation of the eighties in Palestine, characterized by a general decline in economic, agricultural, and health development as a result of the Israeli military occupation. As a grassroots organization initiated by a group of professional volunteers in the areas of agricultural engineering and development, the Union's priorities during the initial stages were formulated through a policy of resistance to Israeli measures designed to cripple agricultural development and infrastructure.

Staffed primarily by volunteers during the early stages of its development, the Union organized local committees throughout the West Bank and Gaza in order to assess agricultural needs and to aid in implementation and supervision of projects and programs. As a consequence of the volunteer nature of the Union, and the lack of efficient structures and policies to govern project vision and implementation, the Union was subject to a certain stagnation which detracted from its general efficacy, although at many levels, the Union was successful in its originally stated goal to effect positive change in the agricultural arena.

The recent political changes, and the emergence of the Palestinian National Authority, however, have precipitated the Union to evaluate its present programs and projects, as well as its vision for the future. As a result of internal and external evaluative procedures, the Union has recognized the need for its structures, policy, and vision to reflect this new reality.

The following guidelines have been implemented in the articulation of the Union's philosophy:

• All community organization activities will be directed toward sustainability and community empowerment needs.
• Community participation and ownership will be translated into sharing in labor, materials, and in some instances, capital.
• Costs for farms construction, livestock, and other requirements for family farming projects will be granted as loans.
• All training programs will take into consideration technical, environmental, social, and gender issues.
• Farmers and livestock breeders will be considered partners in all project phases and activities and will select their own representatives in the formation of cooperatives or project committees.

II. Mission

The Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) is committed to facilitating sustainable agricultural development in Palestine through a democratic participatory approach to development which encompasses the following:

1. grass-roots needs assessment
2. inclusive and participatory methods of implementation
3. coordination and cooperation with individuals and organizations seeking to build a civil society through sound development policy

III. UAWC Philosophy

As a grass-roots, nonprofit organization, the UAWC believes that people at all levels of Palestinian society must be involved in transformative action at the micro-level in order to effect beneficial change at the macro-level. To make tangible this philosophy, the Union is committed to pursuing an ongoing dialogue within various sectors of society which encourages the sharing of problem perceptions and solutions, and which offers an opportunity for participatory action in cooperation with the Union.

The UAWC has the following priorities:

1. To ensure that agricultural development be integrated as part of a comprehensive development plan for Palestine
2. To provide education and training for agricultural developers, with special emphasis on women
3. To improve the overall economic situation of families engaged in farming through increasing the role of women in farming enterprise
4. To increase environmental awareness among the Palestinian population
5. To encourage and facilitate opportunities for small project initiatives
6. To facilitate export opportunities
7. To ensure productive cooperation and coordination with other local and international agricultural development organizations

IV. Programs and Projects

In keeping with its commitment to facilitate sustainable agricultural development in Palestine, the UAWC is engaged in a variety of programs and projects aimed at enhancing the agricultural sector. Long-term projects (over two years in duration) have as their goal the enhancement of agricultural infrastructure and the development of sound agricultural policies and practices. Short-term projects (less than two years) are implemented in response to immediate needs where intervention is limited through contracts with other local and international non-governmental organizations.

The following are a variety of the project and programs that the UAWC engages in aim at enhancing the Palestinian agricultural sector.

A. Land Developing Projects, which includes bulldozing, leveling, planting, agricultural road construction, fencing, and rain catchments cistern.

B. Agricultural Training and Extension Programs focuses on farmers, in general, and women, in particular, through providing skill development and training in the villages throughout the various areas of Palestine. The following activities take place.

1. Preparing and distributing educational pamphlets and brochures to farmers.
2. Organizing field-training campaigns to farmers in their fields.
3. Training farmers (men and women) in numerous subjects. Including, but not limited to, nutritional producing, protecting the environment, animal breeding, and producing extra virgin olive oil.

C. Developing Water Resources.

1. Distributing an repairing standing cisterns.
2. Distributing salt-wate treatment filters (care- free) to local Palestinian farmers.
3. Digging new agricultural cisterns and drinking wells.

D. Environmental Conservation: -

Establishing and independent sewage unit.

1. The reuse of agricultural residue and to continue to work on growing trees
2. Implementing Plastic Heating Sterilization Units.
3. Contributing and participating in campaigns to preserve cleanlines in Palestinian camps, village and towns.

E. Self Income Generating Projects: -

1. Vegetable and tree nurseries.
2. Tractor stations.
3. Green houses.
4. Refrigerators.
5. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Marketing.

F. Integrated Rural Development: -

1. Developing the land (through bulldozing, leveling, building retaining walls, digging and planting the land, etc, … )
2. Upgrading of basic infrastructure (such as schools, clinics, public recreation facilities, and water systems).
3. Improve the access to social services (vocational and management training).
4. Developing small-scale sustainable income and employment generation.

The UAWC is a member of the Palestinian Non Governmental Organization Network, the Palestinian Marsad, Agricultural Coordinating Committees in the Palestinian districts and other various groups that work in the field of agricultural development. The UAWC also shares a strong bond with the Palestinian Agricultural Ministry and numerous international organizations that support the Palestinian people.

UAWC Contact information:

Jerusalem:-

P O Box 20338

Tel:- 02-6289836

Fax:- 02-6289865

Ramallah:-

Tel:- 02-2954289 or 02-2980316

Fax:- 02-2965545

Email:- uawc@palnet.com

Hebron:-

Tel:- 02-2227447

Fax:- 02-2290017

Toulkarem:-

Tele- fax:- 09-2679594

Gaza:-

Tel:- 08-2879959

Fax:- 08-2853075