Karak:A new climate-smart farmer field school program commenced on Wednesday in the Southern Jordan Valley district of Karak. This initiative is set to train 880 farmers across four governorates in sustainable agricultural practices and efficient water use.
According to Jordan News Agency, the program is the result of a cooperation agreement signed in August between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture. The agreement aims to bolster farmers' capabilities to adapt to climate change.
The program will establish 44 farmer field schools and organize 44 field days in the governorates of Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Maan. These schools will provide hands-on training in climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, and techniques to enhance productivity and resilience in agriculture.
The approach of these field schools is experiential, allowing farmers to test and evaluate modern agricultural techniques and share knowledge. This initiative is particularly focused on addressing local challenges such as water scarcity and climate-related issues, with the goal of sustaining agricultural production and improving rural livelihoods.
These activities are part of the project "Building Resilience to Cope with Climate Change in Jordan through Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector" (BRCCJ), which is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by FAO in Jordan. The project is conducted in collaboration with the ministries of Agriculture, Water and Irrigation, and Environment, along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The BRCCJ project, valued at $33.25 million, spans seven years and targets vulnerable agricultural communities in Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Maan. It focuses on improving water-use efficiency, promoting sustainable farming practices, and enhancing rural communities' adaptation to climate change. This is the first project in Jordan to receive financing from the Green Climate Fund.