Farmers to get frost compensation

The Jordanian government has allocated US$14.2 million to compensate farmers whose crops were devastated by the worst ever frost to hit the kingdom, according to Ministry of Agriculture officials.

Figures released by the ministry on 13 February indicated that over half the agricultural land in the Jordan Valley, the kingdom's main fruit-growing area, was affected by the two-week-long frost. Other parts of Jordan, mainly in the south, were also hit.

In total, some 120,000 `dunams’ (120,000sqkm) planted with fruit and vegetables were harmed, with the Jordan Valley sustaining 90 percent of the damage, the ministry's assistant secretary-general for agricultural produce, Adnan Abdul Nour, said.

Officials from the Farmers’ Federation said at least 5,000 farmers had incurred losses, with 30-100 percent of their crops damaged or destroyed.

Compensation rationale

The government said compensation would be paid to farmers based on the maturity of their crops and the percentage of them destroyed of damaged, but noted that only farmers who had suffered at least 30 percent damage would be compensated.

The Jordan Valley is usually planted with vegetables such as zucchinis, aubergines, potatoes, beans and bell peppers - all effected by the frost. Bananas, cereals and citrus fruit were also damaged.

A farmer who planted bananas would get US$282 per each `dunam’ (1,000 square metres), while those who planted potatoes would get US$200 per `dunam’, according to the official criteria.

The figures were announced following a field survey by a special committee comprising officials from the government and the private sector to asses the extent of the damage.

Making up losses

"It is important to compensate farmers immediately so that they can benefit from current weather conditions and make up their losses," said Salah Bashir, minister of foreign affairs and acting minister of state for media affairs and communications.

Jordan's agriculture sector has been facing various economic challenges, including drought. Officials hope the compensation will help “small farmers” begin planting crops for the summer season as soon as possible to avoid further increases in market prices.

Lack of supplies in local markets has led to a 20-50 percent increase in the prices of items affected, such as zucchinis and tomatoes.

Environmentalists have blamed global climate change, rapid desertification and shrinking water surfaces locally for the magnitude of the damage to the agriculture sector.

mbh/ar/cb

see also
OPT: Palestinian farmers hit by prolonged frost in January