Hekmat Abu Halima, Gaza: "2007 was the worst year ever"

Sanctions imposed in the Gaza Strip in recent years, which reached a peak of severity following the Hamas takeover of the impoverished enclave in June, meant farmers could not export their goods, whilst on the domestic market prices plummeted because of over-supply.



Forty-one-year-old Hekmat Abu Halima from Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza tells his story:



"I planted 35 `dunams’ [a `dunam’ is 1,000 square metres or 0.1 hectares] of land with potatoes on 1 September. This cost me 150,000 shekels [about US$37,500], as I must also pay rent for each `dunam’ of 300 Jordanian dinars [about $420] a year, in addition to the costs for fertiliser, diesel and fees for the workers.



“In early December, I reaped the potatoes and sold the produce locally. I then handed the land over, back to its owner, and decided not to plant again in the January season because I do not have enough money.



“In the past, each `dunam’ used to earn me a profit of at least 300 Jordanian dinars [about $420]. Now it only lets me make 500 shekels ($120 dollars). And this is not enough.



“When we were able to export, I sold a [14 kilogram] box of potatoes for 40 shekels. Now I sell it for eight shekels (about $2).



“I have been in the farming business since I was 12-years-old. This year was really the worst year. In the past, we were eager to work, but today we go to work feeling sleepy



“I sleep a lot now because of the loss that I've suffered, because there was no ability to market and export my produce with the crossings closed. So, we sell it on the local markets.



“In the past, we used to export it to Israel and the West Bank, but since Hamas was elected, exporting potatoes has become difficult.



“I was hoping the markets would improve, and I saved 15 tonnes of potatoes in refrigerators, but things did not work out, and I lost another 5,300 Jordanian dinars in fees paid to the refrigerator owner.



“There was no real profit at all this last season, and I was barely able to pay the workers, and for the chemicals we used. I also suffered losses from the strawberries I planted.



“I have nine sons, seven daughters, and two wives. Life has become so hard. I'm thinking of selling the half `dunam’ of land I own, if I want to continue in this business, because these days, everything here depends on how much cash you have, as no one can give you anything on credit any more.”



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