Al-Quds Open University took part in launching the pilot project of planting and producing Aloe Vera in salty mediums on Tuesday, 22 April 2022, represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. Maen Sheqwarah and the Director of the Agricultural Research Center, Dr. Khaled Hardan. The project was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Small Grants Program (SGP), and UNDP. It was implemented by the Economic & Social Development Centre of Palestine (ESDC) and the Agricultural Research Center, in partnership with the Arab Construction Project Association and al-Hathnawi General Trading Co.

During the launch, the project’s donors and implementers reviewed and discussed the objectives and importance of the project. The Agricultural Research Center also demonstrated the project’s implementation phases and technical supervision of the crop service operations from crop cultivation, irrigation, and composting using the climate-smart, digital agriculture systems and control of insect pests and diseases.

Dr. Maen Sheqwarah and Dr. Khaled Hardan also emphasized the significant role of the scientific and research networking between universities and donor institutions in the success and accomplishment of these agricultural research projects.

Moreover, during a field tour, the participants were briefed on the research and production projects at the Research Centre. They were also informed about their roles in developing and providing services to the agricultural sector in Palestine using climate-smart and digital agriculture to obtain donations from the abovementioned institutions to expand and develop research activities.