Rain brings respite to struggling farmers

AMMAN — The rainy season, despite its late arrival, has largely benefitted farmers, President of the General Union of Jordanian Farmers Odeh Rawashdeh said.

He told The Jordan Times on Saturday that he is hopeful that the rainfall will suffice until the time for summer crops, noting that pastures “did not get much rain”. 

Nawash Al Yazjeen, a farmer from the Jordan Valley, told The Jordan Times that even though the recent rains have benefitted those who planted crops, half of the valley’s agricultural land remains unplanted. 

“In light of regional conditions and challenges farmers face, they are unable to plant their lands because of debt,” Yazjeen said.

He noted that the weather has been good for production, but as demand increased and fewer farmers have crops to offer, prices have increased and “made it seem as if things are going well” in the sector.

“However, the overall condition is very bad because farmers are refraining from planting their lands, and there over 12,000 farmers are wanted by the authorities, some of whom had to leave their families and sell their houses and land,” he said.

Jordanian youth do not work in this sector, the farmer said, noting that the agricultural sector also lacks sufficient workers, as there are “not even enough people to harvest the crops”.