On 19 October 2008, Mr. Julian Jubert, the marketing officer at Smiling Children visited Welfare Association. The purpose of the visit is to follow up on a project, funded by Welfare Association and Smiling Children-Switzerland, to support small-scale farmers in producing and marketing fine olive oil.
Mr. Jubert visited Bidya village, where the project is being implemented, and met with a number of farmers beneficiaries of the project, and members of Bidya Cooperative Society. He was briefed on the latest developments related to the production of fine olive oil with acidity level of less than 0.3%, which has been produced in a quantity of about 10 tons by the date of the visit. Mr. Jubert expressed appreciation for the efforts made in producing this type of oil.
Agriculture, one of the important sectors for Welfare Association, is vital to the lives of many Palestinians for its crucial role in ensuring job opportunities and employment, and in achieving food security for Palestinian families. In 2007 expenditure on projects within this sector exceeded $1.39 million, with achievements included supporting food security projects, land reclamation, and construction of water collection wells.
