Participatory research to facilitate collaboration of farmers, exporters and central market agents in developing fruit and vegetable value chains in the Jordan valley

The National Agricultural Research Center of Jordan implemented this measure in 2018 to improve the economic status of farmers in the Jordan valley and enable their participation in identifying the best methods and approaches to achieve sustainable development towards improving their living conditions and livelihoods. Core components included a participatory approach of choosing tropical and subtropical orchard tree varieties to be planted in the northern and mid-Jordan valley, where subtropical conditions prevail. This activity involved 24 farmers, 3 of whom were women. Theoretical training of tropical tree cultivation was provided, following a participatory study on fruit and vegetable value chains in the Jordan valley. This collaborative work addressed the issues faced by farmers and was attended by representatives of the Central Vegetables Market and the Association of Jordan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters. Key lessons learned include that farmers can mitigate climate change using adapted cultivation techniques and by utilizing resources economically to create productive enterprises.