Karak, Nov. 4 (Petra) -- A climate-smart farmer field school program began Wednesday in Karak’s Southern Jordan Valley district, aiming to train 880 farmers in sustainable agricultural practices and efficient water use across four governorates.
The initiative is part of a cooperation agreement signed in August between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen farmers' ability to adapt to climate change.
Under the agreement, 44 farmer field schools and 44 field days will be organized in Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Maan, providing 880 male and female farmers with practical training in climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, and techniques to improve productivity and agricultural resilience.
The field schools use a hands-on learning approach, allowing farmers to test modern agricultural techniques, assess their effectiveness, exchange knowledge, and identify solutions suited to local conditions, particularly water scarcity and climate-related challenges. The approach aims to sustain agricultural production and improve rural livelihoods.
The activities fall under the project "Building Resilience to Cope with Climate Change in Jordan through Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector" (BRCCJ), implemented by FAO in Jordan with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The project is carried out in cooperation with the ministries of Agriculture, Water and Irrigation, and Environment, as well as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Valued at $33.25 million, the seven-year project targets Karak, Madaba, Tafileh, and Maan, where agricultural communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change and water stress.
BRCCJ is Jordan's first project to receive Green Climate Fund financing. It aims to strengthen water security and climate resilience in agriculture by improving water-use efficiency, promoting sustainable farming practices, and supporting rural communities in adapting to climate change.
//Petra// AO
