The proposed mechanisms for developing a marketing system of safe agricultural products in the Gaza Strip

Abstract

This study aims to shed some light on the reality of organic and traditional agriculture in the Gaza Strip in terms of health and economics aspects. This is intended to develop the proposed mechanisms and means of developing a system for the marketing of safe agricultural products in the Gaza Strip. For this purpose, the study used the descriptive analytical method to investigate the reality of organic and traditional agriculture patterns, and to highlight the impact of the observed differences on the economic and health aspects. The study designed and distributed a questionnaire to the consumers based on the data provided by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics for the year 2016 for both genders. A total of 450 questionnaires were randomly distributed to cover all the governorates of the Gaza Strip. The study reached a set of important results as follows: The study observed a weak awareness among the consumers about the different farming patterns. The study observed a moderate awareness level among the consumers about the health risks associated with the use of chemicals in traditional agriculture. This was also true for the effect of issuing an organic product certificate on the purchasing decision among the consumer. The most trusted sources in the issuance of the organic product certificate of agricultural products are the Institution of Standards and Metrology, followed by the Palestinian universities. There is a statistically significant relationship between the level of household income and the number of family members, and their willingness to pay the price difference between organic and traditional agricultural products. Accordingly, the study recommended the following: The need to protect the local product from the external competition, and to improve its competitive status in the external markets. There is also a need to economically support the farmers in order to improve the demand on the local organic agricultural products. This is essential to raise the point of balance between demand and supply, so that the quantity required and displayed becomes higher at the new balance point, and at an acceptable price for both parties. It is also recommended to find out viable, safe, and economic alternatives of the chemical fertilizers, and to expand the current agricultural organic products markets. Finally, the study recommended to activate the involvement of the Palestinian Institution of Standards and Metrology to develop standards for proper transformation to organic agriculture.