The Agricultural Sector of the Palestinian NGO's Network (PNGO), last Tuesday , held a meeting to discuss challenges and difficulties facing the Agricultural Sector in the Gaza Strip; such as ongoing blockade and internal division, reconstruction process failure, continued Israel occupation's violations against farmers and fishermen, the closure policy on agricultural exports, and the ban on agro-requirements, which negatively affected food security; increasing food insecurity by at least 49%.

The meeting discussed the Palestinian government's decision to refer 449 of agriculture employees in the Gaza Strip to retirement.

The meeting explained the seriousness of the decision and its implications for the agriculture employees and their lives as well as its impacts on the reality and future on the agricultural sector and state of food security. It is noteworthy that the Agricultural Sector employees referred to retirement have the practical and acquired expertise that is more worthwhile to invest in strengthening, empowering and building the agricultural sector to enhance and support the steadfastness of farmers and maintain food security in the Palestinian society.

Agricultural NGOs representatives warned of the serious repercussions of the government's decision and stressed the need to coordinate efforts to tackle the early retirement referral decision and its repercussions.

The meeting decided to launch a series of steps to persuade decision-makers to reverse the recent decision to safeguard the employees' rights and dignity and ensure justice for them.