Land identified for Gush Katif farmers

Some 2000 dunams of kibbutz, moshav land slated for 80 Gaza evacuees

The Disengagement Authority has started identifying agricultural lands for Gush Katif farmers, and has agreed in principle to transfer the properties to them.

 

To date, the Authority and Agriculture Ministry plan to expropriate 1600 dunams (about 395 acres) from Kibbutz Zikim for 60 Gaza farmers, and about 500 dunams (about 120 dunams) from Moshav Mavkiim for an additional 20.

 

Preparation work is expected to begin for the transfer this week.

 

Groups given preference 

 

Also, authorities are trying to work out a plan to provide about 700 dunams (172 acres) for organic farmers, with the intention to concentrate them in one area.

 

The Disengagement Authority has also established principles for the arrangement of transferring the land to the farmers.

 

Compensation

 

Settlers who currently own farm land in Gaza who request a group transfer (of at least 20 farmers) will be entitled to the following allotments:

 

•  Organized farming groups will be allowed to purchase farm land in areas the government has designated “high priority” development areas. They will be allowed to purchase roughly the same amount of land that they currently farm. 

• The Disengagement Authority will pay USD 3000 per dunam
• Farmers who currently own working greenhouses smaller than 40 dunams will receive up to 40 dunams of developed land, but the Authority will only pay USD 1500 for them.
• Farmers will also receive compensation for loss of value of their former fields and property.
• Farmers will be required to relinquish all claims to former property in order to receive compensation

 

In order to carry out the plan, high priority development areas will be expanded to include the area south of the Nitzan-Kiryat Malachi region.