STORY: Businessman brings red corn back to hometown Gaza from China
DATELINE: June 21, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:16
LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine
CATEGORY: AGRICULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the cornfield
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MOHAMMED ABU ZIADA, Gazan businessman
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMMED ABU HALIMA, Gazan farmer
4. various of the cornfield

STORYLINE:

For Mohammed Abu Ziada, a businessman, it was a dream come true to see red corn planted in his hometown Gaza Strip.

Ziada, 39, said that he had traveled to different cities in China to do business for more than seven years.

Two years ago, he tasted red corn for the first time in east China's Quanzhou City.

Impressed by the grain with its distinctive appearance and chewy texture, he soon recognized its nutritional value and decided to introduce it to his hometown.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MOHAMMED ABU ZIADA, Gazan businessman
"I saw the red corn in the Chinese city of Quanzhou, and then I traveled to the city of Shantou. These grains were brought from Shantou and transported to the Gaza Strip. More will be shipped to the Strip in the next season. I liked the idea. The color is different and its taste is sweet, and I also thought that we would plant it in the country instead of importing it."

Overcoming difficulties such as lacking farming experience, getting an import permit, and dealing with the shipment, Ziada managed to cooperate with a local farmer to cultivate the crop in Gaza.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMMED ABU HALIMA, Gazan farmer
"My friend brought me about three kilograms of red corn seeds, and I planted them this year. The red corn is easy to be planted, as it needs less water and fertilizer. It's been grown on at least a dunam (0.1 hectare) of land."

About to harvest in a week, they plan to distribute half of the production to the locals for free to promote the new crop, while selling the other half to cover the costs.

It has gained a positive reception from the locals, with more farmers asking about it.

The businessman said he hoped to introduce more types of colored corn to the enclave to meet consumers' diversifying demands in the local market.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Gaza, Palestine.
(XHTV)