Report urges farmers to cultivate crops that endure climate change

AMMAN — Farmers are advised to plant crops that weather the changing climate in Jordan in light of “unprecedentedly high” and sub-zero temperatures during summer and winter, according to a report released by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The impact of climate change on the agricultural sector must be taken into account by agricultural experts and engineers as well as farmers, the report said.

“Climate change is shifting precipitation patterns in Jordan, which is directly influencing the dates of seeding and harvesting seasons as soil humidity levels are dropping. This in turn is reducing the productivity of crops per dunum,” the report said.

A study carried out by Stanford University in cooperation with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, and released in June, indicated that climate change over the past two decades caused a drastic drop in rainfall and prolonged dry spells in the Kingdom.

The study showed that the country received below average rain in 13 out of 19 years (between 1995 and 2013), while longer periods of drought were witnessed during the same period. 

It also warned that the region will continue to be affected by climate change as temperatures will further increase and rainfall patterns will continue to change.

Ministry of Agriculture Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin said the changing weather in the Kingdom necessitates introducing state-of-the-art techniques to the agricultural sector to minimise the impact of climate change on food security and animal production.

“Unless climate change impact on the agriculture sector is addressed seriously, the phenomenon will affect the country’s quality and quantity of crops, in addition to spread of pests, increase in forest fires, soil erosion and desertification,” Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

The 2013-2020 Jordan Climate Change Policy suggested that the country will witness a 1-4°C increase in temperatures and a 15-60 per cent decrease in precipitation, which will in turn have serious potential impacts on its natural ecosystems, river basins, watersheds and biodiversity.