Throughout history, Jordanian agriculture has been one of the main pillars that contributed to the formation of the economic and social identity of the region, and Jordan is one of the first regions to witness the emergence of stable agriculture in the Neolithic era (about 10,000 – 6,000 BC). The Jordan Valley and the Ain Ghazal region witnessed early cultivation of cereals such as wheat and barley and animal husbandry such as sheep and goats. The Ammonite, Moabite and Edomite civilizations developed agriculture in the bronze and Iron Ages (3,300 – 332 BC). Where they used primitive irrigation systems and cultivated olives, figs and grapes, and agriculture at that time depended on rains.
In the Nabataean period (about 169 BC.Ad-106 AD) excelled in the creation of advanced irrigation systems for the collection and storage of rainwater in semi-arid regions and the cultivation of cereals and medicinal plants, witnessed the Roman and Byzantine eras (106 – 636 AD) agriculture flourished thanks to the development of roads, infrastructure, the creation of canals and dams, the cultivation of various crops and the spread of agricultural mosaics as evidence of the importance of crops.
Agriculture continued as a major source of income during Islamic times (636 – 1516 CE) with improved irrigation methods and the construction of canals. In the Ottoman era (1516-1918 AD), taxes were imposed on agricultural crops and there was a decline in agricultural production due to neglect and lack of investments, however, agriculture continued to be a major economic activity in rural Jordan.
Despite the natural, political and economic challenges faced by the country, during the first hundred years of the establishment of the state, the agricultural sector in Jordan witnessed a significant development in successive stages that reflected the development of the Jordanian state and its transformations.at the founding stage (1921-1950), agriculture in the early Jordanian state was heavily dependent on rains, and the Jordanian farmer used traditional tools in agriculture. agricultural holdings were small and distributed among tribes and clans. production focused on cereals and cattle breeding. The State during this period worked on the regulation of land ownership through the land and water Settlement Act of 1933, and also began to encourage the creation of agricultural cooperatives in 1952.
But despite the efforts, the agricultural sector remained limited by natural, financial and human potential. In the period of construction and modernization (1950-1970), this stage witnessed an expansion of state intervention in agriculture, as the Ministry of Agriculture was established in 1953, programs were launched to improve production, expand the agricultural area and start exploiting the waters of the Jordan River to irrigate the areas of the Jordan Valley, which allowed the cultivation of new crops such as citrus fruits and vegetables and the implementation of a number of major irrigation projects, agricultural research centers were established to develop crops and farming methods, and the state began to provide technical and financial support to farmers.
As for the relative prosperity period (1970-1990), this stage was marked by a remarkable boom in the agricultural sector, as the contribution of agriculture to GDP increased and Jordanian agricultural exports to the Gulf countries and Europe increased, farmers began to use agricultural machinery, pesticides and modern fertilizers, the cultivated areas in the Jordan Valley expanded, and many projects were established, which led to the diversification of agricultural production and increasing dependence on irrigated crops. This period also witnessed the establishment of the Jordan Cooperative Foundation and a number of agricultural associations, which aimed to organize agricultural work and improve the income of farmers.
Then there was the stage of adaptation challenges (1990-2010), as Jordan entered the stage of economic reform, government subsidies for agriculture declined, and the state began to implement privatization and trade opening policies. This has affected the agricultural sector, especially in light of external competition and rising production costs, and the water crisis has intensified as a result of population growth and climate change, which led to a reduction in cultivated areas and the adoption of more efficient farming methods. However, despite these challenges, this stage witnessed the launch of many initiatives to support rural development, empower women in agriculture, and establish small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas to raise the standard of living.
As for the stage of modern agriculture and sustainability after 2010, with the escalation of environmental and economic challenges, Jordan has begun to adopt the model of smart and sustainable agriculture, through the introduction of new technologies such as protected agriculture, hydroponics, and the use of renewable energy. Farmers have also begun to shift towards organic agriculture and apply international quality standards to meet the requirements of international markets. The importance of Agriculture in national food security has increased, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of relying on local production.
Despite all the development that has taken place in the agricultural sector, there are persistent challenges that Jordan still suffers from in this sector, including water scarcity, being one of the poorest countries in the world, which poses a constant challenge to agriculture, climate change, which has changed rainfall patterns and repeated droughts, and migration from the countryside to cities, which has caused a decline in agricultural labor and the continued high cost of production inputs.
His Majesty King Abdullah II bin al Hussein has stressed that agriculture plays a pivotal role in empowering local communities and combating poverty and unemployment. In his regular meetings with farmers, His Majesty emphasizes the importance of regulating the sector, ensuring the rights of farmers, and achieving marketing justice for them.
The most prominent statements of His Majesty King Abdullah II expressing his support and interest in the agriculture sector in Jordan are:
- “agriculture has been and will remain one of our national priorities, it is a pillar of our food and economic security”,
- “we are working to strengthen the agricultural sector to be a source of income and job opportunities for our children, especially in the countryside and Badia”,
- “we must employ modern technology in agriculture to ensure sustainability and increase production”,
- “attention to the Jordanian farmer is the basis for the development of the agricultural sector, and we must create an environment that enables it to succeed”,
- “food security is an integral part of national security, and the government should develop clear policies to support agriculture”,
- “we are committed to supporting the agricultural sector through financing, marketing and infrastructure.”
In conclusion, agriculture in Jordan is not only a profession, it is part of the cultural and cultural heritage of the country. Despite the challenges, there are still efforts to preserve and develop this sector, apart from developing it from a simple traditional model to a more modern and diversified sector. Investing in agricultural technology, efficient water management, and empowering rural communities are key to the future of Jordanian agriculture.
