Amman: In a notable challenge to the desert climate, Aqaba’s warm sands have successfully nurtured tropical “dragon fruit,” marking a pioneering agricultural experiment in villages across the governorate and signaling a qualitative shift in the agricultural sector in southern Jordan.
According to Jordan News Agency, in recent years, Aqaba Governorate has witnessed a growing trend toward unconventional agricultural experiments aimed at diversifying crops and introducing new varieties that adapt to harsh climatic conditions, with dragon fruit cultivation emerging as one of the most successful of these experiences and gaining a strong presence in local markets.
The story of cultivating “dragon fruit” began three years ago on a farm in the Al-Salehiya area, when farmer Mahmoud Al-Riyati decided to embark on a unique experiment by introducing seedlings of this tropical fruit to his farm. Al-Riyati told Petra that “the idea began with a desire to move away from traditional crops. Despite the challenges posed by the hot and dry climate, and after several attempts some of which were unsuccessful at the beginning we were later surprised by the plant’s high ability to adapt and produce, and today we are harvesting high-quality fruits that are witnessing increasing demand.”
He explained that Aqaba possesses unique natural characteristics, as high temperatures accelerate plant growth and fruiting, while the use of drip irrigation systems significantly reduces water consumption and increases productivity. He added that growing public awareness of the fruit’s nutritional value and health benefits has boosted demand.
Al-Riyati said he hopes the individual experience will evolve into a national project that provides farmers with sustainable income and encourages others to replicate it to support agricultural diversification, expressing hope that the tropical product will reach foreign markets carrying Jordan’s name as an inspiring agricultural success story.
For his part, agricultural expert Fadel Al-Zoubi said the project carries a strategic opportunity to diversify agricultural production in southern Jordan but requires careful consideration and precise calculations before expansion, particularly given the environmental and tourism sensitivities of Wadi Rum. Al-Zoubi added that dragon fruit, a type of cactus, is distinguished by its high tolerance to harsh conditions, noting that studies indicate its water requirement ranges between two to three liters per week per plant during the flowering season. He said this feature makes it suitable for areas with low rainfall, such as Wadi Rum, where annual precipitation in some areas is less than 200 mm.
He explained that the success of dragon fruit cultivation depends on two main factors: the use of drip irrigation systems, which are essential to compensate for limited groundwater resources, and soil and climate conditions, as the fruit thrives in the light red sandy soil characteristic of Wadi Rum, provided that winter temperatures do not drop below five degrees Celsius.
He said introducing dragon fruit would help diversify drought-resistant crops and create a premium tourism brand in the form of a tropical fruit from Wadi Rum, in line with the Ministry of Agriculture’s vision to expand alternative crops that consume less water and offer higher profitability. Al-Zoubi called on relevant stakeholders, foremost among them the National Agricultural Research Center, universities, and the Wadi Rum Farmers Association, to rely on hardy cactus varieties as the backbone of alternative agriculture, given their proven efficiency in Jordan, and to introduce dragon fruit as a complementary high-value project rather than a primary one. He also advised against using drinking water or fresh groundwater for irrigation, recommending reliance solely on treated water or rainwater harvesting.
