Agreements signed to encourage fodder cultivation in Zarqa

AMMAN — The Arab Jordanian Company for the Development of Water, Agriculture and Land Projects (AJC) recently signed agreements with 20 farmers working along the Zarqa River to encourage fodder cultivation as part of the Smart DESERT project.

The Smart DESERT Project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and supported by the AJC through the establishment of a silage production line. It aims to help farmers increase their income and reduce production costs, according to a statement made available to The Jordan Times.

Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat stressed the importance of the project in combating the effects of climate change, especially in regard to water scarcity. 

Caroline Haddad, Blumont Jordan country director, thanked the AFD for its continuous support for the Smart DESERT project

“We established a silage production line based on the vision of the project to increase the income of Jordanian farmers and Syrian refugees, create new job opportunities, and provide services stemming from the needs of farmers in the area,” Haddad said.

Blumont is an NGO that provides relief for refugees and host populations.

Zarqa Governor Hasan Al Jubour noted the development challenges in the governorate’s agricultural sector, namely the scarcity of water and the heavy reliance on the Zarqa River which suffers from significant exposure to pollution.

AJC General Manager Walid Al Masri said: “This initiative came in line with His Majesty’s vision to find alternative solutions suitable for agriculture, including fodder cultivation. The project serves farmers and guarantees the sale of their crops within market prices and special prices for cattle farms.”

The Smart DESERT Project is a pilot-project financed under the Minka Peace and Resilience Fund, dedicated to reducing vulnerabilities and long-term effects of the Syrian refugee crisis in host countries. France, through the AFD, allocated a 10-million euro grant to the Smart DESERT Project.