Describe key activities and outputs performed under this agreement:
Conservation and cultivation of wild and their relatives from flora Palestine in house gardens and open fields at two rural areas of the West Bank ? Palestine. 100 farmers (60% women) were selected in the two towns of Bani Naim (mountain area and semi dry ecosystem) and Mesilia as ideal Mediterranean with plain area for practicing and performing eco sustainable agriculture. Two agro seasons were followed with more than 85000 plants distributed and grown in the sites including Al-Quds University Botanic Gardens. Regular meetings and follow up were performed by project team including 4 workshops in the targeted towns and Al-Quds University. The topics covered in workshops include: basics and practices of eco sustainable agriculture, importance of use of local native flora, adaptation of introduced wild plants in agriculture as crops, complementary irrigation, use of natural bio pesticides as alternatives of chemical pesticides, advice on harvesting, drying and processing of plant material. Total of 40 hours and 100 participants.



Results

Describe to what extent the objectives of the Agreement were accomplished, in reference to the key results achieved under the GEF SGP OP7 Mandatory Global Environment Indicators and Socio-economic indicators above:
The results of the project were remarkable in terms of the following achievements:
1) The targeted plants (Common thyme, Persian thyme, chamomile, Thyme spicata (zaitmani), Artemsia sibeiri (sheih), Sisymbrium (hwairneh), Gendelia (aqub), wild pea, cyclamen, sage). were selected carefully to invest in nature with rational sue of native flora.
2) Irrigation networks (water tanks and pipes) to cover and provide irrigation for the total area of 1.5 hectare were distributed to 100 beneficiary farmers to support infra structures for agriculture.
3) Total of 85000= 75000 (1st year) + 10000 (2nd year) were distributed to farmers,
4) Local and traditional knowledge of farmers were used and developed for the best agro practices. For example land cover with black plastic was used to prevent weed growth instead of using chemical pesticides, use of bio pesticides like wood vinegar was extracted and used for protection and promotion of crops.
5) Harvest of crops were either used by beneficiary families to meet self needs, or offering gifts to relatives and friends. Many farmers managed to sell agro products in local markets. It is estimated that 5% improvement of family income for the beneficiary families was achieved. Examples of harvest as fresh production are arranged by the highest: sage=151kg, thyme=127kg, chamomile= 79kg (1 farmer sold harvest of this plant in 1 season= 3000$), and others reached total of 100kg but with high values of natural production. 10 kg of dry herbs of the project were bought in order to process for herbal tea bags production or production of spices as food.
6) Questionnaire was distributed to farmers and showed their satisfactory results reaching about 80% of improvement in agriculture. For example, 75% of farmers showed auto cover of their needs from the harvest of the cultivated plants of the project.
7) The aromatic harvest like sage (Salvia officionalis) and thyme were used to extract essential oils for research or commercial applications. For example 20 liter of hydrosol and 500 ml pure essential oil of sage (high quality) were produced.
8) Two agro seasons were followed with same perennial plants grown through the project to confirm sustainability of the project. The plants are grown in gardens and fields of farmers with high maintenance practices. For example about 50 kg of fresh harvest were collected during the first season whereas more than 200 kg were collected in the 2nd season.
9) No chemical pesticides were used (at minimum scale not exceeding concentrated 1 liter for all farmers) and natural bio pesticides were used effectively (50 liter were used) OR the plants are adapted to dry environment and resistant to pathogens. This is a primary objective to counter back climate change and to reduce harmful application of pesticides to native biodiversity and protection of human health.
10) Seeds of some plants of the project were collected (sage= 500 gm, and chamomile= 1000 gm) to be reused for next seasonal propagation.