IYWF: Women of Kafr Laqif rebuild livelihoods through cooperation
10/05/2026
As the world marks the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF), stories like that of Kafr Laqif highlight the critical role women play in sustaining rural livelihoods, especially in times of crisis. IYWF recognizes women farmers not only as contributors to food systems, but as innovators, entrepreneurs and pillars of resilience within their communities. In Kafr Laqif, women have stepped forward to reshape their local economy, proving that when given the right support, they can transform adversity into opportunity.
Kafr Laqif is a small village in the northern West Bank that was once known for its rolling olive groves. Over the years, however, the landscape and livelihoods have dramatically changed. An estimated 70 percent of the village’s land has been seized for the construction of a highway, while expanding settlements have disrupted commercial agriculture. Movement has also become increasingly restricted, with a metal gate at the village’s main entrance frequently limiting access in and out of the area.
“Now if we want food, we have to buy it because there is no longer commercial farming. To buy food, we need cash. To get cash, most people have to work outside the village. Movement restrictions make it difficult to move outside”, explains a local woman named Raja.
In response to these challenges, around 20 women came together in 2023 to establish the Kafr Laqif Women’s Cooperative. With support from FAO, the cooperative was equipped with food processing tools, as well as packaging and labeling machines The cooperative also benefited from the installation of solar panels, which significantly reduced electricity costs, bringing them close to zero. Its main product is tomato paste, in addition to thyme and carob molasses. .As a result, As a result, production increased tenfold, enabling the cooperative to expand its market reach and increase its income on 2025.
The outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023 further deepened economic hardship in the West Bank. Many men in the village lost their permits to work in Israel and nearby settlements, cutting off a major source of household income. In this context, the cooperative became a lifeline. Its members stepped into the role of primary breadwinners, ensuring their families could continue to meet basic needs.
Wissam, a member of the cooperative, noted that despite initial skepticism within the community, her engagement in the cooperative strengthened her household’s economic stability and enabled her family to support her son’s continued studies. She explained that the cooperative has made a decisive difference in their lives, particularly in enabling her son to pursue higher education.
Beyond its economic role, the cooperative has also fostered strong social networks and served as a safe space for women, as well as a supportive environment for children. With revenues generated through FAO’s support, members established additional community facilities, including a gym, a kindergarten, and a hall for small celebrations. These spaces have strengthened social cohesion and created opportunities for women to connect, exchange experiences, and build a sense of solidarity, while children benefit from access to early learning and care services.
“We feel this is our home. We are family. When I need to leave, I can go to the cooperative. I can sit and have ideas. Without the co-op, we wouldn’t have any of this,” says Suheir, Kafr Laqif Women’s Cooperative Head.
FAO supported the Kafr Laqif cooperative under the project “Support economic growth through optimized agricultural value chains in the West Bank”, funded by Canada. From 2016–2025, the project benefited about 22 000 farming families and 40 agricultural cooperatives (15 women led), for an estimated total of 103 400 beneficiaries.