Our projects - Jericho Vale!
In the heart of Palestine, where agriculture represents both a resource and a challenge, "Jericho Vale!" comes to life, a project that looks to the future with roots firmly in the soil. The initiative, promoted by the City of Bergamo together with the John Paul II Foundation and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), aims to transform the local agribusiness sector into an engine of growth and opportunity.
Jericho is a city with a history dating back thousands of years, but its present is marked by structural, economic and political obstacles. Agricultural production, which once provided a significant slice of Palestinian GDP, now struggles to compete with international markets. Small producers often find themselves isolated, lacking the tools to improve the quality and marketing of their products. This is compounded by difficulties in accessing water resources and adopting innovative agricultural practices, making a targeted intervention that can meet the needs of the area urgent. "Jericho Vale!" was created precisely with the ambition of strengthening the local agri-food chain, with particular attention to the Medjoul date, one of the area's excellences, by improving its production, processing and marketing through an integrated model of sustainable development.
One of the most innovative elements of the project is the introduction of the first date-based energy bar production line in Palestine, installed at the PFCA cooperative in Jericho. This line represents a breakthrough for the local industry, as it enables it to enhance the value of class C dates, which are generally more difficult to market, by transforming them into a high value-added product. In this way, the project not only solves a historical problem for local producers, but also creates new market opportunities and profitability.
The implementation of this production line is in line with the recommendations that emerged from the project's strategic study, which highlighted the need for at least three factories capable of producing date bars. With this initiative, Jericho becomes a benchmark for the Palestinian agribusiness industry, paving the way for future developments such as the production of date syrup or date paste for the confectionery sector. This investment not only strengthens the processing capacity of the local crop, but also stimulates employment, providing new economic opportunities for both producers and the local workforce.
The project is developed on several levels. On the one hand, it invests in technical and vocational training to improve the skills of producers and young workers, offering them concrete tools to increase the quality and sustainability of production. On the other, it promotes the creation of an internationalization office at the Jericho Chamber of Commerce to facilitate exports and penetration into foreign markets. These actions are complemented by the strengthening of the infrastructure for processing and storing products, which is essential to increase the commercial value of local productions. By introducing more modern facilities and improving processing methods, farmers will be able to expand their commercial outlets and access more profitable markets, helping to build a more equitable and sustainable system.
Despite the difficulties related to the region's instability, "Jericho Vale!" is already producing its first tangible results. The participation of cooperatives, local institutions and local businesses testifies to the desire to build a future in which agriculture becomes not only a means of livelihood, but a lever of economic and social development. Ongoing training, the creation of new job opportunities and access to more remunerative markets are key elements in ensuring that the benefits of the project are lasting and translate into a concrete improvement in the quality of life for local producers.
This initiative is not just an investment in the agricultural sector, but a concrete step toward a sustainable and inclusive development model. With the right support and strategic vision, even in a complex context like Palestine, it is possible to create real opportunities for local communities. "Jericho Vale!" is proof that change is possible when expertise, cooperation and confidence in the future come together. Our commitment is to accompany this transformation, providing ongoing support and creating the conditions for the Palestinian agribusiness sector to fulfill its potential.