Palestinian agricultural engineer Shady Atatra is harvesting strawberries in a greenhouse in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
RAMALLAH, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- To increase the production of his strawberry crops, the Jenin-based agricultural engineer Shady Atatra has resorted to "black gold" to establish the first-ever biochar farm in the West Bank.
Biochar, a carbon-rich and porous material that can be used for soil improvement and pollution control, has made his strawberry harvest from 2 tons per hectare previously increase to over 7 tons, according to the Palestinian engineer.
In a bid to produce more organic strawberry fruits and high-quality agricultural products, the Ramallah-based Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture is working on developing and introducing modern agricultural methods and patterns, said Abdul Qadir Kharraz, a director at the ministry.
He added that the ministry encourages the local farmers to adopt safe agriculture to preserve the health of locals, noting they have developed new cultivation methods, whether open or in greenhouses.
Palestinian agricultural engineer Shady Atatra displays strawberries in a greenhouse in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Palestinian agricultural engineer Shady Atatra harvests strawberries in a greenhouse in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Palestinian agricultural engineer Shady Atatra uses biochar as a natural fertilize to the strawberries in a greenhouse in the West Bank city of Jenin, on Jan. 21, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) ■
