CONCLUSIONS

CONCLUSIONS

There are many opportunities for increas­ing production and the percentage of marketable fruit in the Gaza Strip. For­tunately, most of the correctives have already been worked out elsewhere and need only to be adapted to local conditions. Other problems unique to the area can be solved through the guidance cf the Ministry of Agriculture.

It is a different matter, however, to say whether a further increase in citrus pro­duction is warrantable at the present time. The principal pr^-oblem facing Gaza's in­dustry is transportation. Partition left this appendage of a former territory without its traditional port facilities. At present exports are limited to the inadequate port of Gaza, where only a few ships a week make call and where vessels must anchor 500 meters offshore. At the port of Gaza, lighters cannot approach the dock closer than 15 meters, and to reach lighters, stevedores must wade waist-deep in salt water that occasionally laps at the boxes of fruit atop their heads. The government is currently considering improvement of port facilities; when these plans materialize, the expansion of Gaza's citrus industry should meet with much greater chances of success.

Before determining the causes of decline of Citrus Industry in this area, it seems necessary to review the clirtliatic and soil conditions, the cultural practices adopted and the prevalance of pests and diseases in the tract. The appraisal would help in the suggestions to be made for improvement.