FAO: Only 3% of Gaza’s Agricultural Land Remains Accessible and Undamaged

GHLands : A recent geospatial assessment conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in cooperation with the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) has revealed a sharp decline in farmers’ access to agricultural land in the Gaza Strip. Only 3% of agricultural land remains accessible and undamaged, representing a decline of more than a quarter compared with the previous assessment conducted in October 2025.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the FAO said the decline is primarily linked to reduced access to farmland, alongside the expansion of what is known as the “Yellow Line,” which separates ceasefire areas from zones under the control of the Israeli military.

The assessment also showed a decline in the area of accessible greenhouses compared with the October 2025 assessment, with Deir al-Balah recording the largest decrease.

Declining Capacity to Produce Food

Rein Paulsen, Director of the FAO’s Office of Emergencies and Resilience, said the assessment paints “a stark picture of the continued deterioration of Gaza’s agricultural sector,” noting that restricted access to farmland is reducing the area available for food production, even in locations where agricultural assets remain intact.

He added that farmers in Gaza have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to continue producing food when land and agricultural inputs are available. However, he warned that continued restrictions on safe access and limited agricultural support would further reduce prospects for restoring local food production.

Severe Shortages of Agricultural Inputs

The challenges facing Gaza’s agricultural sector extend beyond access to farmland. The FAO said restrictions on the entry and distribution of essential agricultural inputs have resulted in severe shortages of seeds, fertilizers, irrigation equipment, fuel, and other production materials.

Livestock farmers are also struggling to obtain animal feed, veterinary supplies and animal health services. The organization noted that its ability to bring in materials needed to protect and rehabilitate livestock remains limited and inconsistent.

The FAO added that the limited agricultural inputs available inside Gaza are often of poor quality and sold at high prices, placing additional pressure on farming households and making recovery efforts even more difficult.

Calls for Safe Access and Rehabilitation

The FAO called for urgent and sustained action to support the recovery of Gaza’s agricultural sector, including ensuring farmers have safe access to their land, facilitating the entry of essential agricultural inputs, and implementing programs to rehabilitate damaged farmland and agricultural infrastructure.

The organization stressed that restoring local food production requires access to land, water, agricultural inputs and safe routes to reach them, enabling farmers to gradually resume their work and strengthening the Strip’s capacity to provide food for its population.