This Strategic Plan for Territorial Enhancement (2025–2030) serves as a comprehensive framework to revitalize the Jericho and Al-Aghwar Governorate. By updating the previous 2018–2023 plan, this strategy focuses on three pillars: Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Ecotourism to foster a resilient, independent local economy.
1. Regional Context & Socio-Economic Profile
Jericho is recognized as the oldest city in the world, possessing a wealth of archeological and natural resources. However, it faces significant developmental hurdles:
- Demographics: The region suffers from high unemployment, particularly among youth and women.
- Labor Market: TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) remains fragmented, necessitating specialized programs for agricultural technicians and tour guides.
- Climate: Characterized by an arid environment with natural resources and archeological sites that are pivotal for economic growth but limited by access constraints.
2. Priority Sector Analysis
The strategy identifies critical challenges and innovative interventions for three main sectors:
A. Agriculture (Date Palm Focus)
- Challenges: Limited water access, high salinity, and competition from settlement-produced goods.
- Strategic Actions:
- Implementing advanced irrigation systems to conserve water.
- Developing a blockchain traceable system to prevent the smuggling of dates from settlements and ensure supply chain transparency.
- Establishing cold storage facilities to protect small farmers from price manipulation by middlemen during surplus production.
B. Agribusiness & Food Processing
- Value Chain Enhancement: Moving beyond raw production to include modern storage and processing.
- Innovation: Establishing units to process Grade 3 Medjool dates into high-value products like date molasses, syrup, and energy bars.
C. Ecotourism & Agritourism
- Vision: Transitioning from a destination for short-term stays to an integrated experience involving community-based tourism.
- Interventions:
- Farm stays in palm groves and participatory harvesting experiences.
- Developing evening cultural activities and folklore events to encourage overnight stays.
- Creation of “tourist pathways” that integrate historical sites with Jericho’s rich biodiversity.
3. Strategic SWOT Analysis Summary
The plan utilizes a SWOT analysis to navigate the governorate’s unique geopolitical and environmental position:
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Oldest city, rich biodiversity, and Medjool date quality. | Infrastructure gaps, limited storage, and lack of evening tourist activities. |
| Opportunities | Threats |
| Blockchain for transparency, crowdfunding, and TVET expansion. | Occupation-related constraints, settlement competition, and water scarcity. |
4. Supportive Projects & Implementation
The plan proposes specific concept notes and projects to ensure long-term benefits:
- Water Management: Improving resource governance to address salinity and scarcity.
- Intercropping Systems: Researching the planting of Jujube between Palm trees to maximize land productivity.
- Community Partnership: Strengthening local governance and stakeholder engagement to achieve equality and justice.