The Agricultural Cooperation in Palestine - Pool Construction project, carried out by the Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC), aimed to address significant agricultural challenges in Beit Ummar located in the West Bank. These farmers were Facing severe water lack and navigating a difficult legal landscape regarding land ownership, as they were struggling to maintain sustainable farming practices. This project provided crucial support by increasing water availability, which is essential for sustainable farming practices, and raising awareness about land ownership rights, which are particularly complicated in Area C due to its administrative and military control by Israeli authorities. By addressing both the practical and legal challenges, the initiative aimed to empower farmers to sustain their agricultural activities despite the difficult circumstances, fostering resilience and long-term viability in the region's farming sector.

In Area C in the West Bank, which comprises about 60% of the West Bank, Palestinian farmers face unique difficulties. Water shortage severely limits agricultural productivity, and the legal status of land ownership is often unclear due to overlapping regulations. Farmers in this region frequently encounter challenges regarding land access and property rights, which can delay their ability to cultivate their lands effectively. Recognizing these obstacles, the project aimed to relieve these issues by providing both practical resources and knowledge, enabling farmers to better navigate these difficulties.

The project tackled these problems through two primary initiatives:

1. Construction of Water Pools: To address water shortage, the project included the construction of several water pools designed to collect and store rainwater. This provided a reliable water source for watering, particularly during dry seasons. The pools were strategically located to maximize accessibility for farmers, ensuring they could maintain their crops throughout the year.
2. Legal Awareness Workshops: The second solution involved educating farmers about their land rights. Workshops and seminars were organized to provide guidance on navigating the legal landscape in Area C, including insights into registration processes and protection strategies for land ownership. This was aimed at empowering farmers with the knowledge needed to defend their rights and secure their properties.

The project’s activities were structured to ensure complete support for the local farmer community, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and empowerment. The key activities in the project:

1. Site Assessment and Planning: The first phase involved conducting detailed assessments to identify suitable locations for water pool construction. Project organizers consulted with local farmers and community leaders to select sites that would have the most significant impact. The planning stage also involved ensuring environmental considerations were met, such as minimizing the impact on surrounding ecosystems.
2. Construction of Water Pools: The water pools were designed for durability and efficiency. Construction was carried out in collaboration with local teams, which provided job opportunities for community members and ensured that the pools were built according to local needs and standards. Safety and environmental sustainability were priorities throughout the construction process, with measures in place to prevent contamination and preserve water quality.
3. Educational Workshops and Seminars: A series of workshops and seminars were held to train farmers on water management practices, such as efficient irrigation techniques and rainwater conservation methods. Additionally, legal education sessions were provided to equip the farmers with the knowledge needed to protect their lands. These sessions covered topics like land registration procedures, the legal implications of property ownership in Area C, and resources available for legal support.
4. Community Engagement and Support: Building trust with the local community was a critical aspect of the project. Community engagement included regular consultations with farmers, providing updates on project progress, and addressing any concerns. Continuous support was also offered after the project’s completion to ensure farmers could effectively use the new resources and retain the knowledge gained from workshops.

The project was a successfully achievement as it delivered several meaningful outcomes:

1. Enhanced Water Resources: By increasing water availability, the project directly improved agricultural productivity, allowing local farmers to sustain crops during dry periods. This enhanced food security for local communities and reduced dependency on external water sources.
2. Empowered Farmers: With greater awareness of land rights, farmers became more equipped to handle legal challenges related to land ownership. This empowerment contributed to a stronger sense of security and resilience, as farmers gained the confidence to advocate for their rights.
3. Sustainable Agricultural Practices: The project emphasized the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, particularly focusing on effective water management techniques that can be readily adopted by the local community. By introducing methods such as rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and soil moisture conservation, the initiative aimed to optimize water usage while minimizing waste.

The Agricultural Cooperation in Palestine - Pool Construction project had a profound positive social impact, particularly in enhancing community resilience among local farmers in Beit Ummar. By ensuring access to reliable water sources, the project directly addressed one of the most serious challenges facing the agricultural community. Additionally, the initiative included an educational element that significantly improved farmers' understanding of their legal rights concerning land ownership. This knowledge was crucial in an area where legal complexities often delayed agricultural activities. As farmers engaged in collaborative efforts to learn and share resources, they developed sustainable farming practices and fostered stronger community ties. This collective learning experience reinforced a sense of solidarity among participants, creating a supportive network that empowered local farmer to work together for common goals.

The project had a changing effect on local agriculture economically. By enhancing access to water and providing the necessary knowledge for sustainable farming, the initiative led to improved crop yields. These increases in productivity translated into higher incomes for farmers, which in turn had a ripple effect on the local economy. As farmers experienced greater financial stability, their ability to support their families and invest in their farms improved. The stability brought about by the project benefited individual farmers and contributed to the overall economic health of the Beit Ummar community, creating a more healthy agricultural sector capable of supporting livelihoods and sustaining growth in the face of ongoing challenges.The project had a changing effect on local agriculture economically. By enhancing access to water and providing the necessary knowledge for sustainable farming, the initiative led to improved crop yields. These increases in productivity translated into higher incomes for farmers, which in turn had a ripple effect on the local economy. As farmers experienced greater financial stability, their ability to support their families and invest in their farms improved. The stability brought about by the project benefited individual farmers and contributed to the overall economic health of the Beit Ummar community, creating a more healthy agricultural sector capable of supporting livelihoods and sustaining growth in the face of ongoing challenges.

The Agricultural Cooperation in Palestine - Pool Construction project represented a crucial effort to address the fundamental challenges facing the farming community in Beit Ummar. By providing essential physical resources, such as reliable water sources, alongside educational initiatives that enhanced legal awareness, the project significantly improved the immediate conditions for agricultural practices. More importantly, it contributed to the long-term resilience and sustainability of the community. This initiative showed how aimed involvements can empower local populations, enabling them to navigate and overcome substantial obstacles. Ultimately, the project created self-reliance among farmers and paved the way for future growth and stability within the agricultural landscape of the region.