Agriculture Ministry prepares ground for organic farming

AMMAN — Organic farming is making inroads into Jordan’s conventional agriculture system as many are encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly cultivation methods.

“Organic agriculture produces high quality products that meet international standards. It has a positive impact on human health and the environment,” according to the Jordan Organic Agriculture Association website.

“A total of 15,000 square metres of land are organically farmed in Jordan,’’ said Tamam Khawaldeh, organic farming specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture, as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The Ministry of Agriculture is taking part in the “Boosting Cross-Border Organic Ecosystem Through Enhancing Agro-food Alliances” project, sponsored by the European Union, according to the ministry’s  website.

The project aims to develop the whole organic sector.

This project will contribute to soil conservation and environmental sustainability. It will also help create new job opportunities and therefore, income for organic farmers will likely be improved, the Agriculture Ministry said.

The organic cross-border network will be established for cooperation, dialogue and knowledge transfer among stakeholders in the organic sectors in Lebanon, Italy, Tunisia, Greece, Spain and Jordan, the ministry’s website said.

“Jordanians are now more aware of the benefits of organic farming, as consuming organic produce is beneficial for both the human body and the environment,’’ Amjad Sarabi, who exports organic vegetables, told The Jordan Times.

Sarabi added that organic products, although often more expensive than non-organic products, are beneficial for the environment and one’s well being. 

“Another way of consuming organic products is by growing your own garden,’’ Sarabi said.

Kareema Yahya, an environmental activist, said that organic gardening can also help save the environment as it reduces the amount of food waste.

“Almost all of the fruit and vegetable peels and seeds, in addition to animal waste, can be used as natural fertilisers instead of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides,’’ Yahya told The Jordan Times.

Abdallah Al Daoud, who grows his own organic garden, told The Jordan Times that he has saved money since he started his organic home garden. The garden is helping reduce his family’s carbon footprint, Daoud said.