Next: Value chains - Poster Up: Posters Previous: Daniel Kyalo, Eric Bett, Contents Index
![[*]](footnote.png)
NAYIF SALEEM
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Department of Agricultural Economics & Management, Czech Republic
Israel's agricultural sector is characterised by a very modern and intensive system of production, backed by advanced organisational structure which based on close cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Settlement Department of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Farmers' Organisations. However, the political and socio economic environment of the Arab Farmers, tackled them to share their colleagues to the job in the Jewish sector the ``development cake''. It's expressed by unfair land ownership policy, lack of agricultural subsidies and development funds, tangled with absence of any representative body in the decision makers table, that leave them out from national and regional development plans. This study-paper suggests grouping farmers through Farmers'' Organisation and Producers'' Cooperatives that have a viable potential, both socially and economically, which expresses one of its principal comparative advantages as a socio"=economic model for the family farms holders - men and women - of the land, interested in consolidating their position as producers of goods and services within the agricultural business activity. Unfortunately, the Arab agricultural cooperatives and ''their representative associations'' failed to play any significant role on building marketing of agriculture produce, which is presumably should be their major area of operation, nothing has been done to open new markets, improve auxiliary marketing services, or stabilise prices. In spite of that, it should be noted that, no one can deny the efforts made by Arab farmers for improving their production and retaining their agricultural life style. Some have achieved high production records when granted the opportunities and should be entitled due esteem and appreciation. In brief, development of agriculture in the Arab sector requires institution of a policy that will increase profitability, encourage initiatives and excellence, and allocate resources to achieve advancements in the farming economy. Agricultural development that is efficient and productive as well as sustainable in its use of resources, competitive in terms of external orientation, and providing adequate incomes to a large number of farmers with equitable distribution of incomes and benefits.
Keywords: Agricultural cooperatives, Agro-food chains management, arab agriculture, economic advantage, Farmers' Organisations, socio"=economic development
hotmail.com