Page 24 - AA 2024

Jordan

New Crop of Climate-smart Farmers in Jordan

will Feed Future Generations

Faced with less water, more intense opportunities, particularly for women rely on water deliveries. “But now
droughts, warmer temperatures and and youth who have often been with the reservoir, the situation has
disruptions in global food systems, excluded from the sector. changed. We no longer worry about
Jordan is nurturing a new generation having access to water. We became
Women farmers such as Seham Bani
of climate-smart farmers while self-sufficient,” she said, adding that
Mustafa, who lives in Souf, a town in
transforming its agri-food sector to her small orchard produces pesticide-
the Al-Burj area about 60 km from the
become more resilient while creating free fruits with the excess sold in local
capital Amman, are already seeing
jobs and greater value. The World markets. She is also making a living by
results. A small-scale fruit farmer, she
Bank’s new agriculture program in creating traditional soaps.
received a grant for a new rainwater
Jordan, appropriately called “My Land” Like many countries, Jordan is
harvesting system under the program,
(or ARDI), is helping to strengthen food seeking ways to address growing
which means she no longer waits for
systems by spearheading more water- concerns over food insecurity. Last
water to be delivered every two weeks.
efficient and climate-resistant farming year the government launched a new
Now, she harvests water during wetter
practices. Approved in 2022, ARDI National Food Security Strategy which
winter months and this nourishes her
(the Agriculture, Resilience, Value identifies specific actions to make
apricots, peaches, peas, beans and
Chain Development and Innovation food systems stronger and provide
other vegetables.
project) will provide about 30,000 employment. Jordan is one of the most
farming households with financing. “No matter how cautious one is water-scarce countries in the world
The $125 million project hopes to about water usage, it’s not enough,” and is adopting bold measures to
generate around 12,000 employment she said about previously having to boost efficiency and balance supply
22 Arab Agriculture 2024