1,720,968 research outputs found
Opportunities and challenges to out-scaling the use of treated greywater for home farming in Jordan
No full textJordan is one of the driest countries in the world that struggles to cope with the limited freshwater resources to meet the growing demand from the economy and the domestic sector. To cope with this water shortage, Jordan is considering all possible alternatives of water supply and demand management including the reuse of greywater in the households. The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, in collaboration with Jordan’s National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension, has implemented the Community-based Interventions for Productive Use of Grey Water in Home Farming project that tested and installed 27 constructed wetland systems (CWS) in eight governorates in Jordan. The CWS is a greywater treatment (GWT) technology that imitates a natural wetland to purify grey water through physical, chemical and biological treatment processes. Results from a qualitative and quantitative study of 34 households in Madaba, Karak, Mafraq, Balqa and Amman governorates revealed that rural households are willing to install the GWT units to irrigate their homestead gardens. The GWT units have helped low-income rural households achieve cost and labor savings from reduced cesspit cleanings and purchases of potable water from vendors, especially during the hot summer months. Women were positively affected because the GWT unit equipped with the drip irrigation system reduced the physical toll on women and other household members by eliminating the need to carry water in buckets to individual trees. The public’s acceptance of the greywater reuse is high and it considers it as a practical way to address household water shortage. This paper provides a brief overview of the research results and a set of recommendations that can assist ICARDA and NCARE to develop an effective out-scaling strategy to increase the adoption rate of GWT technology in Jordan
Land Degradation in Jordan – Review of knowledge resources
No full textThis publication is a baseline assessment reviewing the current knowledge of land degradation in the rangelands of Jordan - known as Badia - with a special focus on its causes. It includes a review of current legislation and on-going initiatives to combat land degradation, along with an analysis of the main constraints limiting their effectiveness. It is intended as a guideline for all those involved in organizing the next stages of Oasis and similar project implementation in Jordan – Government officials, international founders and agencies, national research stations, farmers and rural communities
Predicted Willingness of Farmers to Adopt Water Harvesting Technologies: A Case Study from the Jordanian Badia (Jordan)
No full textWater-harvesting practices, which capture and concentrate surface runoff for crop or range
production, can help to re-establish the productive functioning of Jordanian Badia environments. The main objective of this study is to assess the rate of adoption of water harvesting technologies and identify main constraints that limit the adoption process in the low rainfall areas of Jordan through using ADOPT (Adoption and Diffusion Outcome Prediction Tool). ADOPT predicts the proportion of a target population that might
adopt an innovation over time. A focus group discussion (FGD) methodology was used to apply the ADOPT with group of researchers (biophysical and socio economic team) and farmers in the Middle Jordanian Badia.
In the FGD we streamlined 22 discussion questions around four categories of influences on adoption: characteristics of the innovation, characteristics of the target population, relative advantage of using the innovation and Learning of the relative advantage of the innovation. The peak adoption rate for water
harvesting technologies in the Jordanian Badia is predicted to be 93% after a period of 12.4 years as of using the ADOPT tool with a group of researchers working with the project. However farmers also predicted 95% after a period of 11.9 years. The results and the ADOPT tool should be of considerable assistance to policymakers
in helping them develop their guidelines to facilitate the specific target group. Policymakers and extension agents will be able to distinguish between farms regarding their likelihood of technology adoption based on the prediction method
Farmers’ Perceptions of Water Policies: A Case Study from the Jordanian Badia
No full textThis report reviews a case study of farmers’ perceptions of policies and regulations to improve water security in the Jordanian Badia. The aim is to improve water management and conservation by engaging all stakeholders, in particular farmers and rural communities, in this common goal
Profitability Analysis of Zero Tillage among Smallholder Farm Households in the Karak Region of Jordan
No full textThere is rich literature on the biophysical benefits of zero tillage (ZT) while that on its economic benefits, especially in the context of small and medium-scale farmers, is scanty. Using a combination of Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) models and a case study from a large project which promoted a number of technologies including zero tillage in the Karak region of Jordan, this study attempts to provide evidence on the profitability of ZT
Baseline Information and Livelihood Characterization of Badia Benchmark Water Harvesting in Jordan
No full textThe project aims to improve the productivity of degraded rangelands through efficient utilization of limited rainfall. Nearly 48% of farmers in the Muhareb community own flocks, with an average flock size of about 159 head. About 52% of farmers in Um Al Naám own flocks, with an average of 125 head; about 63% of farmers in Muhareb community own a small flock (average 28 head), or a medium flock size (30%, average 293 head), or a large flock (7%, average 751 head. However, about 72% of farmers in Um Al Naám own a small flock, with an average flock size of 36 head. A medium- sized flock is owned by 26% of farmers, with an average flock size of 256 head. Only 1% of farmers own large flocks, with an average flock size of 1540 head. Farmers who cultivate larger areas own larger flocks, although this only occurs on a small proportion of the farms (4.7%). Over 67% of farmers in the selected communities own small flocks, and 28% own medium sized flocks. There is a positive relationship between flock size and area cultivated
Water and Livelihoods Initiative (WLI) Technical Report: Strategies for Disseminating Improved Water Harvesting Technologies in Jordanian Badia
No full textThe main objective of this study is to enhance dissemination of improved water harvesting technologies in Jordanian Badia. This study came as a to build on the adoptability study of water harvesting technologies that were conducted last year by the Water and Livelihood Initiative (WLI) and to develop a framework or a guideline for effective and practical linkages between research, extension, and farmers .In Jordan a big need for agricultural extension services to enhance access to and knowledge of new technologies, to ensure that farmers can reach markets with their produce, to enable farmers to understand new challenges arising due to the changing climate, and to assist farmers in making optimal use of their available resources.
This study used Key informant interviews and desk reviews was used to assess current institutional framework and agenda for water harvesting technologies dissemination - including their methodological approaches, their level of interventions, and tools used to reach farmers was used to collect information to achieve the purposes of this study. data of the key informative interviews collected contained information on ,goal and Mission NCARE, clientele Served ,Primary source of funding for fiscal year 2015,Institutional linkages and partnerships , allocation of time by field extension or advisory staff, Organizational Structure, Performance of Field Extension Staff, importance of the Research Extension(R-E) interface, transformation of research knowledge, assessment of outcomes and impact, and key constraints/Opportunities to rolling out proven technologies. The interviews were conducted with the head of NCARE, the DG assistant for Extension Service, DG assistant of research affairs in addition of the heads of research directorates and extension directorates and the subject extension subject matter specialists. In total 8 key informant interviewed were conducted 4 of them from extension and other 4 with research directorates. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data analyses used in study used. The collected data was coded, entered and checked for consistency before keying into the SPSS software for further processing and analysis to generate descriptive statistics (frequencies, mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviations, etc.).
Results of the study showed that the core work of extension staff in NCARE is the field works which include visiting field farmers, meeting with farmers to solve their problems, applied the planned extension program and new technology, activities of FFS and participate in national campaign of plant disease control. The time allocated for field work is estimated at 60% of the staff working time. About 25% of extension time is allocated for extension planning and support activities that include all the office work.; preparation the annual work plan, monthly reports and evaluation report, present their work at the end of year and participation in training courses as trainee or sometimes as trainer.
The main source for extension to obtain innovations at NCARE, universities, international institutions that conduct projects in the country, and low percentage of innovations comes from ministry of agriculture, training and internet. The innovations flow from universities to extension still weak and need much work to strengthen the relation between universities and research and extension institutions. International institution plays a vital role in introducing and transfer technology and innovations from outside to inside the country.
NCARE serve wide range of client groups of farmers, but time allocated for each group is differ according to size of farms manage by farmer. Major time (24%) is given to small farmers, this is well understandable as small farmers can’t afford for private extension services, those farmers are depend on rainfed for planting their crops or livestock owners. NCARE has shortages in livestock specialist and almost weakness in livestock management and health extension programs.
For funding NCARE receives its core funding from the Government. Other direct funds are received from national and international donors to finance the implementation of projects. As of transformation of research knowledge usually research results documented in several methods such as: Annual report, publications, videos, poster and social media. Annual reports are the main method of documentation in the governmental research centers as NCARE with less degree for publications while in universities the publications are the main method for documentations. However, the website for institutions are become one of good method for documentation and it is expanding with time. The questioner’s results showed that the annual report is the main, if not the only, method for extensions officers to excesses the research results which mean that the extension not benefited from many research results which documented as publication. Of course individual extensions officers access some research results by other means such as individual communications, training courses and with little degree from social media and websites. The strength and weaken points in the current transformation of information are highlighted by the study results. The main weakness points are: Researchers still dominant in the technology transfer, lack of trust between extension officers and researchers, absence of formal channels between research and extension, the well formulated results to introduce to farmers, lack of budget and well trained staff, lack of well-organized channel to transfer technology from researchers to extension to farmers, and lack of incentives to both researchers and extension .However in the current system there are several strength points: Field days, using media and participation of farmers in the implementation research work at their fields (administrations), the high willing of many persons in technology transfer, presence of researchers and extension officers under one institution facilitate the information transformation.
NCARE has a wide range of linkage and partnership with national universities, ministries, organization and with international research and development institutions. Deans of agriculture colleges are members in NCARE board, several research work and projects are conducted in cooperation between NCARE and universities. Several of NCARE staff was sent to Jordanian universities to get their master or PhD degree.
Feedback loop of extension experiences get back to research and to policymakers, this loop still weak but it comes from farmers to extensions to researchers then some problems discussed and solution took place and send again to the field usually DG assistant and DG who take the decisions, some problems transfer to the minister or concerned ministries . Although there are many proven technologies, but the rat of its rolling out still under expectations. Reasons behind that are due to constraints and challenges facing the rolling up rate. Including the cost of a new technology is high and most farmers can’t pay for it especially at the rain fed areas, -Large scale agricultural problems such as drought, farmer's educational level, difficulties in convincing farmers to change their attitudes and thinking, he long time it takes farmers to adopt the new technologies in addition to many other reasons and constraints.
The study concluded that although NCARE achievements of its objectives considered satisfaction, with more financial and staff support can achieve many results. Emerging research and extension in one institution it is a unique experience in the region. Flowing the information from research to extension then to farmers and the feedback from farmers to researchers still weak and needs much effort to make this linkage good enough. In spite of 8 years NCARE practices the merging extension and research, still the merge not reach to the planned aim, and many researchers as well as extension officers feel they are separate bodies. Regardless the weakness point and problems off merging, for Jordan the merging is the idle situation for extension and for research. With merging the extension become more effective, better facilities and finance and better knowledge compare with period before merging
Economic analysis and environmental impacts of water harvesting techniques in the low rainfall areas of Jordan
No full textWater harvesting has become an important priority for supporting
the increasing population in the low rainfall areas of Jordan. The specific
objectives of this paper are to assess the economic and environmental impacts
of different water-harvesting techniques in Jordan’s Badia region. Cost benefit
analysis (CBA) was used to estimate the economic impact of using water
harvesting techniques. A simple simulation model was used to estimate the
environmental indicators related to biomass productivity of barley and shrubs
and soil erosion. The internal rate of return (IRR) showed that planting barley
with water harvesting was more feasible (IRR 17%) than the farmers’ practice
of planting barley (IRR 7.85%). The study concluded that the valuation and
assessment of environmental benefits associated with implementing water
harvesting techniques is important for justifying the public investment for these
techniques in the dry areas of Jordan
Adaption, environmental impact and economic assessment of water harvesting practices in the Badia benchmark site
No full textThe shortage of water in arid zones represents the most serious obstacle to poverty reduction because it limits the extent to which poor producers of crops and livestock can take advantage of opportunities arising from emerging markets, trade, and globalization. Water shortage in arid zones limits the variety and quantity of crop and livestock products a smallholder can produce, thus narrowing their range of options. Furthermore, poor smallholder producers seldom use productivity-enhancing inputs, such as improved seed varieties and fertilizers, due to high risks associated with variability of water available for plant growth. This, together with the fluctuations in yields, makes it hard for poor farmers to participate in emerging market economies
Factors Affecting the Adoption of Water Harvesting Technologies: A Case Study of Jordanian Arid Area
No full textIn this article, we investigate the determinants of farmers’ decisions to adopt water harvesting technologies (WHT) in the arid agricultural area of Jordan. In particular, we investigate the effect of different socio-demographic, economic, and institutional factors on the adoption of WHT. For doing so, we empirically apply a binary logistic regression model on a micro-dataset (59 farmers) in Jordanian Badia. Empirical findings indicate that there is no significant relationship between age and the probability of adoption of WHT. However, our findings show significantly positive relationships at 10% level for farmer education and experience which implies that farmers with higher education and experience level are more likely to adopt WHT. In contrast, it was found that labor and institutional variables such as credit services do not significantly influence adoption of WHT. Results also reveal a significant relationship between land tenure and adoption implying higher adoption rates on communal land as opposed to privately owned land. Based on our empirical results, this research will assist decision makers to prioritize the factors influencing adoption of WHT and provide insights for targeted dissemination, adoption, and diffusion of WHT in the Jordanian arid areas
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