Agriculture & Water
From The Report: Jordan 2012
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Making up more than 15% of its exports – up from 12.7% in 2007 – the agricultural sector in Jordan is small but strong. Produce makes up the majority of exports, with livestock farming also playing a significant role locally and abroad. In particular, Jordan has the potential to increase its exports to the European market. Although few Jordanian companies are currently certified to export to the EU, the number that are is expected to grow. At the same time however, demand in Syria for Jordanian produce declined in 2011, and Iraq has banned imports of Jordanian vegetables, claiming that its local production was sufficient. More positively, recent moves by Saudi Arabia to allow Jordanian produce imports provide new opportunities in the sector. Lastly, in an effort to boost its agricultural sector and improve access to water, Jordan has developed strategies to alleviate the water burden; wastewater treatment and water desalination are among the solutions.

This chapter includes an interview with Mousa Al Jamaani, Minister of Water and Irrigation; and Jean Louis Chaussade, CEO of Suez Environnement.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Looking to the future: Changes ahead for the export market and water supply
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The contribution of agriculture to the Jordanian economy is larger and more important than it may seem at first glance. While the sector made up 4.4% of GDP in 2011, it accounted for 15.3% of national exports. Due to the growth of agribusinesses regionally, many believe Jordanian produce could be exported in greater quantities to neighbouring countries, as well as to Europe. The sector also plays a key socioeconomic role as well, providing jobs to around 180,000 Jordanians, as of 2009, in…

Analysis

Export ambitions: Global demand for high-quality olive oil creates new market potential
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With olive oil consumption on the rise in Jordan and globally, the government has a powerful incentive to enhance the production and export of the country’s high-quality oil. If quality assurance standards are introduced and marketing strategies are improved, the world’s eighth-largest producer looks set to have a promising future in the medium-term. LOCALLY PRODUCED, LOCALLY USED: Some 75% of Jordan’s oil is consumed locally, and a growing number of Jordanians are buying the product.…

Interview

OBG talks to Mousa Al Jamaani, Minister of Water and Irrigation
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Interview: Mousa Al Jamaani How are the challenges associated with large-scale desalination projects being tackled in Jordan? MOUSA AL JAMAANI: There are several desalination ventures with considerable potential. However, they exceed current financial and energy resource capacities. The kingdom is working to attract sufficient foreign investment and private sector participation to support acquiring desalination technology. Despite these challenges, the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project,…

Interview

OBG talks to Jean Louis Chaussade, CEO, Suez Environnement
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Interview: Jean Louis Chaussade What recommendations do you have for governments in the Middle East seeking to improve interstate water policy coordination? JEAN LOUIS CHAUSSADE: There are currently fewer than 2000 cu metres of freshwater resources per resident and per year in the Middle East, and by 2050 that number is expected to fall to under 500 cu metres. For instance, Jordan is frequently critically affected by water scarcity: according to the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation, in…

Analysis

Investing in water: Boosting supply and enhancing delivery are top priorities
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Recognising that severe water scarcity requires concerted action, policymakers are aiming not only to boost supply through mega-projects but also to enhance delivery through the improvement of water and wastewater networks. To achieve these goals, current and anticipated investments from the private sector are key to achieving these goals. TRANSFERRING SUPPLY: The Disi Water Conveyance Project is currently under development by Turkey’s GAMA Energy on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model,…