Agriculture Ministry says it plans to expand wheat, barley cultivation

AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Monday announced that the ministry intends to expand wheat and barley cultivation in the Kingdom in an attempt to enhance food security, according to a statement by the Ministry of Agriculture. 

“Interest-free loans will be offered to farmers for the purpose of buying production supplies for wheat and barley cultivation,” the statement said. 

The statement noted that the interest-free loans will be provided through the Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC). 

“Freeing farmers from interest burden and preventing them from turning default is a very good step by the ministry”, Ibrahim Bdour, a guava farmer in the Jordan valley, told The Jordan Times. 

Bdour added that although the government is offering incentives for wheat and barley cultivation, he wouldn’t consider growing either of the crops. 

“The agricultural mechanisation required for growing crops is very expensive for small and medium scale farmers,” Bdour noted. 

Farmer Khalaf Suod said that wheat and barley cultivation requires a lot of water, as well as a developed irrigation system. 

“Small farmers need immediate financial aid from the government such as reduced water prices, as well as interest-free loans that can be repaid at the next harvest,” Suod told The Jordan Times. 

Agricultural engineer Mutaz Rabieh told The Jordan Times that the outdated practices in the agriculture sector have led to underperformance.

“Sustainable agricultural mechanisation boosts production,” Rabeih added. 

Rabeih highlighted that improving water management is key to growing wheat and barley. 

He also urged the government to provide quality farm inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.

“The government will continue to subsidise wheat and barley seeds,” Hneifat added. 

The minister added that the government aims to support the agricultural sector in order to reach the highest possible production of these strategic crops.

The statement said that water scarcity, along with climate change and low rainfall, has greatly affected the cultivation of these strategic crops.

“Wheat and barley are strategic crops that form the base of the food security pyramid,” Hneifat said.