AMMAN —
Citrus farmers in the Northern Jordan Valley
reported persistent financial losses during the last season, as per Al-Ghad.
This loss is attributed to the entry of traders with large quantities of
imported citrus at the peak of production, which were sold in local markets at
competitive prices compared to Jordanian citrus, exacerbating the challenges
faced by
local growers.
اضافة اعلان
During his recent visit to the Jordan Valley, Minister
of Agriculture,
Khaled Hneifat affirmed the ministry's intention to improve
farmers' conditions. He mentioned that the ministry is seeking to amend the
agricultural risk fund into an insurance fund, aiming to safeguard farmers from
all foreseeable agricultural risks.
Hneifat inspected multiple citrus and tropical fruit
farms in the region, engaging with farmers and agricultural associations at
various sites such as the
Water Users Association (WUA) and the Hashemite Fund
for the Development of Jordan Badia (JOHUD). He emphasized the ministry's
strategy to boost food manufacturing, including the signing of agreements to
establish 15 factories across all governorates by the middle of 2024.
Hneifat stated, "The ministry backs the formation
of a unified agricultural alliance for citrus farmers to address the issue of
production surplus and sector organization. This alliance will receive support
in the form of interest-free loans for production inputs, the establishment of
a packing, sealing, and grading center, as well as refrigeration facilities and
a packaging bank. These initiatives aim to ensure year-round product
availability, sufficient income for farmers, and delivering high-quality products
to
consumers at reasonable prices."
Furthermore, Hneifat stressed the importance of
coordinating efforts to assess the agricultural situation in the marginalized
areas of the Jordan Valley, which are experiencing ongoing damage. This
involves agricultural guidance, research, and input from sector experts to
create a map of low-risk crops suitable for the region.
Farmers struggle
amidst losses, prepare for upcoming season
The farmers stated that despite employing various
methods to draw attention to their difficult financial conditions, including
protests, cessation of fruit picking, and abstaining from agricultural work,
none of these methods proved beneficial.
They explained that despite the losses, they are
compelled to prepare for the upcoming season, which commences at this time and
involves tree pruning, pipe extension, and pond renewal, highlighting that
these operations are exceedingly costly and surpass their
financial capacity.
They emphasized that permitting citrus imports during
the local season had a detrimental effect on their products and resulted in
significant losses. This occurred at a time when they were already grappling
with challenging conditions due to the agricultural sector's decline and the
elevated costs of production inputs and labor wages.
Moreover, the farmers stressed the importance of
safeguarding local products, particularly during the peak season, by ensuring
water availability for citrus trees, especially given the unexpected nature of
the current season.
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