Gaza Grape Harvest Hit by Too Much Sun, Not Enough Rain 

A Palestinian farmer picks up grapes at a field in Gaza City August 21, 2023. (Reuters)
A Palestinian farmer picks up grapes at a field in Gaza City August 21, 2023. (Reuters)
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Gaza Grape Harvest Hit by Too Much Sun, Not Enough Rain 

A Palestinian farmer picks up grapes at a field in Gaza City August 21, 2023. (Reuters)
A Palestinian farmer picks up grapes at a field in Gaza City August 21, 2023. (Reuters)

Grape harvests in Gaza have been hit hard by relentless heat waves and a lack of rain, leaving farmers in the Palestinian enclave worried for their livelihood.

Grapes are a favorite treat among Gaza's residents and vineyards cover much of its farmland.

But they are particularly sensitive to shifting temperatures and weather patterns, and like in other regions across the world, there is reason for concern.

Ibrahim Abu Owayyed comes from a family of growers. His vineyard was passed down from his father and grandfather. He saw his harvest plummet to 1.5 tons compared to five tons of grapes last season.

"It is almost nothing," said Abu Owayyed. "Grapes are our sole source of income. We and our children rely on it. The heat and the climate change impacted us completely."

Production in the 2023 season dropped 60% from last year to 4,000 tons, according to Agriculture Ministry official Mohammad Abu Odeh. Grapes remain in the top four of crops in Gaza.

"Higher temperatures have also led to the spread of disease, which impacted the already low production and further increased the costs for farmers," Odeh said, pointing to shriveled up bunches of grapes hanging in one coastal vineyard.

At least 1,000 farmers work 1,730 acres of grapes, he said.

The problem does not stop with grapes, he said. Climate change is threatening broader food security in the territory, home to 2.3 million people and under a blockade by Israel.

Owayyed, a father of seven and a farmer for 25 years, said he had to pay double the usual on pesticides as prices rise.

Palestinians say the 16-year-old blockade has crippled the territory's economy. Israel and Egypt also imposed tighter restrictions on the movement of people and goods through the Gaza crossings.

Weak production has hiked the price of grapes, said farmer Khamees Shamalakh.

"The economic situation in the country is bad, people have no income, someone who used to buy three or four kilos is buying one kilo now," said Shamalakh, 75, at his stall at one of Gaza City's busiest squares.



OceanQuest Launched in Saudi Arabia with a Mission to Accelerate Ocean Discovery

OceanQuest Launched in Saudi Arabia with a Mission to Accelerate Ocean Discovery
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OceanQuest Launched in Saudi Arabia with a Mission to Accelerate Ocean Discovery

OceanQuest Launched in Saudi Arabia with a Mission to Accelerate Ocean Discovery

OceanQuest, a Saudi Arabian not-for-profit foundation, announced its official launch in Jeddah on Monday. Aligned with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, OceanQuest is poised to usher in a new era of deep-ocean discovery and collaboration.

OceanQuest is on a mission to accelerate ocean discovery, drive innovation, and foster international cooperation while engaging the public. By cultivating partnerships that advance multidisciplinary ocean research, the foundation aims to benefit humanity, enhance ocean literacy, and elevate public awareness.

OceanQuest Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan stated: "As a nation rooted in progress and innovation, we are committed to unlocking the mysteries of the deep ocean for the benefit of humanity."

"This initiative exemplifies our Kingdom's ambition to lead in science and discovery, foster global collaboration, and create opportunities for future generations. Through this collective effort, OceanQuest will drive solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time," he added.

OceanQuest will support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions by spearheading innovation in ocean exploration, nurturing global partnerships, and advancing sustainable development. The foundation is set to contribute to the Kingdom’s national research, development, and innovation (RDI) targets by providing SAR3 billion in research and development funding by 2050 and supporting more than 150 scientists annually.

In addition, OceanQuest will help achieve the Kingdom’s goal of protecting 30% of its marine habitats by bolstering the biotech and pharmaceuticals strategy, identifying sensitive marine ecosystems, enabling sustainable projects along the Red Sea, and leveraging deep-sea corals as natural carbon sinks to support Saudi Arabia’s decarbonization efforts.

The Board of Trustees of the foundation consists of Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan (Chairman of the Board), Advisor to the Royal Court Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Toonsi, Governor of the Public Investment Fund Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Advisor to the Royal Court Abdulaziz bin Ismail Tarabzoni, CEO of NEOM Aiman Al-Mudaifer, CEO of Red Sea Global John Pagano, President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Prof. Edward Byrne, and Raymond Thomas Dalio.

Based at KAUST campus in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, OceanQuest is committed to unveiling the wonders of the ocean and exploring its secrets for the benefit of humanity. Its mission is to accelerate ocean discovery, drive innovation in the field, support global cooperation, and engage the public. OceanQuest and its global partners will launch a new era of deep ocean exploration and knowledge sharing.