Amman, July 22 (Petra) – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Jordan, launched Wednesday the implementation of the Mapping Irrigation Potential and Needs (IRMA) initiative in Jordan to support sustainable irrigation planning and improve agricultural water management.
The launch took place during a two-day national workshop in Amman, held with support from the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) Program, which assists nine countries across the Near East and North Africa in addressing water scarcity through sustainable water management and improved agricultural water governance. The program is funded by the governments of Sweden and the Netherlands.
The workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the JVA, the Water Authority of Jordan, the Ministry of Agriculture, development partners and FAO technical experts to explore how the IRMA approach can support evidence-based decisions on irrigation development in Jordan.
FAO developed IRMA as a multi-criteria decision-support framework that assesses irrigation potential and needs by combining scientific data and analysis. The approach uses artificial intelligence to map existing irrigated areas and evaluates three main factors: the biophysical suitability of land for irrigation development, irrigation needs in the context of sustainable development priorities, and the benefits of irrigation expansion.
The initiative aims to identify areas where irrigation development is technically feasible, economically viable, and aligned with broader food security and development objectives.
For Jordan, one of the world's most water-scarce countries, improving irrigation efficiency is a critical priority. Agriculture consumes a significant share of the Kingdom's limited water resources, making improved water productivity essential to strengthening water and food security.
Through the Regional WSI Program, FAO is supporting Jordan in improving irrigation water productivity, while tools such as IRMA will help decision-makers better allocate resources, prioritize investments and plan future irrigation development.
Opening the workshop, FAO Acting Representative in Jordan Paul Opio said increasing water scarcity, climate change impacts and rising demand require innovative and science-based solutions.
"Through the IRMA initiative, FAO is supporting the Government of Jordan with a practical decision-support tool that integrates geospatial, climate, water and agricultural data to strengthen irrigation planning, prioritize investments, improve water productivity and promote sustainable management of the country's limited water resources," he said.
During the workshop, participants were introduced to the IRMA methodology, international best practices and potential applications in Jordan to support investment prioritization and sustainable agricultural development.
Secretary-General of the JVA, Hisham Haisa, said improving irrigation water-use efficiency is a national priority to address Jordan's water scarcity challenges and enhance water and food security.
He noted that IRMA will contribute to more efficient water management by using artificial intelligence to support evidence-based planning and investment decisions, while promoting sustainable agricultural development.
Haisa stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with FAO and benefiting from international expertise to improve water productivity and advance sustainable irrigation management. He also highlighted the need to expand treated wastewater reuse, adopt water footprint approaches and prioritize limited water resources for high-value crops to maximize economic returns.
Speaking on behalf of the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa, Regional WSI Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdallah said addressing water scarcity requires cooperation among institutions and partners.
He said the Regional WSI Program, led by FAO with support from Sweden and the Netherlands, brings together international organizations including UNICEF, ESCWA, ICARDA, IWMI and ICBA to provide complementary expertise and work closely with national institutions.
"Supporting the implementation of IRMA in Jordan is a natural extension of that partnership, and its success will rest on national ownership and close technical collaboration with the Jordan Valley Authority and its national partners," Abdallah said.
During the workshop, FAO experts presented the four main components of the IRMA approach: mapping irrigated areas using artificial intelligence, assessing biophysical suitability, evaluating development needs and measuring the benefits of irrigation development.
The sessions also included a demonstration of the IRMA digital platform, presentations on international applications and lessons learned, and discussions on Jordan's irrigation sector priorities and future development needs.
The workshop marks a new phase in the longstanding partnership between FAO and the Jordanian government to enhance water security, improve agricultural water management and strengthen climate resilience through technical cooperation, innovation and capacity building.
//Petra// AJ
