Ramallah – The Head of the Palestinian Water Authority, Minister Ziad Mimi, and the Minister of Agriculture, Rizq Salimiya, held an expanded meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters, attended by the representative of the Governor of Tubas, Muadh Basharat, along with technical staff from both institutions and local farmers from Tubas Governorate. The meeting addressed several key issues related to the management of water resources and the regulation of their use in the agricultural sector, as part of joint efforts to ensure water sustainability and protect this vital national resource.
Discussions focused on regulating the quantities of water extracted from agricultural wells in a manner that ensures equitable distribution and limits groundwater depletion.
Participants stressed the necessity of using extracted water strictly for agricultural purposes and prohibiting its commercial sale, noting that such practices constitute a legal violation that undermines agricultural water security and negatively affects the sustainability of water resources.
The meeting also examined the electricity tariff applied to agricultural wells, which represents a significant financial burden on farmers. It was agreed to raise this issue with the competent authorities and to develop practical recommendations that balance farmers’ interests with the operational requirements of the wells.
Minister Mimi affirmed that the Water Authority will continue to enforce the law to safeguard groundwater resources and prevent any violations that infringe upon citizens’ rights to this essential resource. He emphasized the importance of establishing a farmers’ Water Users Association as a participatory framework to ensure the collective and equitable management of water.
He stated: “Protecting our water resources is a shared national responsibility that requires the collective commitment of all parties. We will not allow any encroachment on groundwater or its exploitation outside the law, because preserving water means preserving the future of agriculture and food security in Palestine.”
For his part, Minister Salimiya underscored the importance of integration between the agriculture and water sectors in managing agricultural water, commending the Water Authority’s efforts to regulate water use in a manner that supports Palestinian farmers and strengthens national production.
Farmers participating in the meeting praised the serious steps taken by the relevant authorities to rectify the status of wells and achieve fairness in water distribution, expressing their support for measures aimed at protecting water resources and ensuring their sustainability for future generations.
This meeting comes within the framework of the Water Authority’s broader plan to intensify oversight of water sources and regulate their use across all governorates, ensuring the optimal utilization of water and protecting it from violations.