Tech innovation, e-commerce vital for Jordan’s agricultural-led growth — experts

AMMAN — Effective development programmes, technological innovation and e-commerce are crucial tools for an agriculture-led growth, according to agriculture experts.

On Wednesday, President of Jordan Valley Farmers Union Adnan Khaddam, told The Jordan Times that “In order to overcome the most pressing issues facing farmers in Jordan, it is imperative that we start implementing programmes focusing on high agricultural potential areas, so that we can increase the sector’s resilience to current challenges and future shocks”.

The primary objectives of such programmes should be directed towards boosting sector productivity and improving agricultural products’ market access, as well as prioritising climate adaptation, he said.

Regarding small-scale farming, also known as smallholder farming it has been disappearing, according to Khaddam who said that usually family-led farms were either in the Jordan Valley or Ajloun. 

He added that current leading agricultural exports include: tomatoes, cucumbers and bell pepper. 

According to the Green Growth National Action Plan for the years 2021-2025, agriculture-based revenues are critical to Jordan’s economy, contributing approximately 28 per cent of GDP and constituting nearly 18 per cent of exports.

The Green Growth National Action Plan for 2021-2025 showed that the government seeks to improve the exportability of the local agriculture goods while trying to cope with climate change. 

“The disorganisation of the market is seriously impeding the sector’s ability to generate revenues and create jobs.” 

Forecasting farmers’ situation in 2024, Khaddam said that agri-business costs will most probably continue to increase. In this regard, the 2021-2025 plan indicated that despite government subsidisation and compensation programmes such as water subsidies, costs are significantly growing.

A high number of farmers stopped using imported seeds, fertilisers or other productive inputs that usually improve yields and profit, said Khaddam. 

Farmers cannot even afford to buy farming inputs in large quantities, he explained.

Regarding market challenges, Khaddam noted that the uncertainty in the prices of agriculture produce is yet another factor contributing directly to the decreasing industry activity.

Huda Ayyad, an agricultural engineer, said that “what is needed now is to recognise the most strategic challenges facing the Kingdom‘s agriculture sector”. 

Ayyad highlighted the technical and administrative difficulties facing the agricultural industry in Jordan, commenting that it is important to boost coordination and to increase investment in future-oriented technologies.