The Impact of Smuggling on the Agricultural Sector in Palestine رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the impact of smuggling on the agricultural sector in Palestine, where the study also sought to identify the extent of awareness of citizens and farmers (both plant and livestock parts) of the danger of smuggling and its negative effects on the agricultural sector and consequently on the economic sector as a whole in terms of its impact on farmers’ income and at the level of their livelihood, and its impact on the steadfastness of farmers and citizens in the face of the encroachment of the Israeli occupation on their lands, on the desired benefit of combating smuggling for them, and on the effectiveness of anti-smuggling measures. To achieve the goal of the study, the researcher built a questionnaire consisting of two main variables, the first variable: relates to the effects of smuggling on the income, production and steadfastness of farmers. This variable relates to the independent variable. The second variable relates to the usefulness of combating smuggling and the effectiveness of the procedures followed in combating smuggling. This variable relates to the variable followed where the questionnaire was distributed to the study sample of 300 farmers, who were selected by stratified random method. After its assembly, the questionnaire was coded and entered into the computer and processed statistically using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program, (SPSS), and its validity and reliability were measured. The results of the study indicated that there is a significant impact of smuggling on farmers’ production, income and resilience. Farmers in Palestine indicated that the degree of impact was high on their income level in a negative way, and the results indicated that there is a direct relationship between the effectiveness of the measures taken in combating smuggling and cases of smuggling. Smuggling and the results VIII showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between smuggling and the income level of farmers, a statistically significant relationship between smuggling and farmers' resilience, and a statistically significant relationship between smuggling and farm production. In light of the results of the study, the researcher suggested many recommendations, the most important of which was focusing on the media in explaining the negative effects that smuggling leaves on the lives and work of farmers, and working continuously to organize seminars and workshops by the competent authorities to familiarize farmers with the dangers of smuggling in economic and political terms.