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Analysis of the agricultural situation in Azraq Basin
German-Jordanian Programme “Management of Water Resources”
53
common on vegetables (in North
Badia and Jiza), and sometimes
occurs in stone fruit tree farms
as well as in few olive tree
farms. In Azraq some farms,
while only using manure, get the
same production that other farms
get using chemical fertilisers.
Therefore the use of chemicals
can be reduced.
Some fertilisation programmes
based on soil quality, water quality,
crop and stage of the crop have
been developed and successfully
implemented by GIZ in the
Jordan Valley (Use of reclaimed
wastewater in agriculture in the
Jordan Valley). Similar references 67
(with special highlight on the
use of brackish water) could be
developed for the Azraq basin
area, and an awareness campaign
and technical trainings organised
for farmers.
Training programmes about
fertilisation should target the
reduction of chemicals use, the
increase of organic matter rate
in the soil, in order to limit
contamination and salinisation
of ground water, as well as
salinisation of soils.
A project of organic farming, mostly
on olive trees, has been raised,
however it seemed illogical to
develop organic farming (a concept
that promotes sustainability)
for orchards irrigated from an
overexploited aquifer (a completely
unsustainable activity).
7.1.3. – Action research
projects for water saving
techniques and preservation
of water quality, adapted to
Azraq Basin conditions
Action research is an interactive
inquiry process that balances
problem solving actions
implemented in a collaborative
context with research to understand
underlying causes enabling future
predictions about changes (Reason
& Bradbury, 2002). In other words,
action research consists of
identifying a problem, implementing
a pilot research project together
with concerned stakeholders on
the field, and valorising the results
of this pilot experiment to plan a
better adapted strategy on a larger
scale.
Some pilot projects for water
conservation techniques have been
suggested by innovative farmers,
who have tested new techniques
or practices on their farm and had
seen an improvement (reduction
of water use, or better yield), but
have no concrete scientific data/
evidence of water-savings. The
implementation of small action
research projects on farms of
motivated farmers (reference
situation as usual to be compared
to plot testing the innovation) would
enable the creation of reference
and showing to other farmers the
results on the field. It comprises
the selection of farms, bibliography
and preparation of an experimental
protocol, installation of necessary
66 NCARE did such a test in Balqa for 25JD.
67 Results from the proposed study for crop suitability map about soil quality and crop requirements would be an asset for implementing an
efficient fertilization program.