Near East Foundation - Fish Farming in Jordan--A Success Story

Abou Baker has problems. He is getting older...60. He lost a leg in a landmine accident. He has a family of 14 people to support. His farm is small (15000 m2) and the area is burdened by water shortages, high production prices, and poor marketing. Yet he says, "As long as my small land grows crops, with a little bit of hope and determination, I can overcome being poor."

He has an artificial leg to transcend his physical disability. His daughters help with the farm work. And the Near East Foundation assists him and his family, both financially and nutritionally, with fish farming.

His farm is located in an agricultural community in Gor Al-Safi district, south of the Jordan Valley. Unlike most of his peers, Abou Baker cultivates his land all year round, more than 50 different types of crops, including many medical and cooking herbs as well as a variety of vegetables. Plus, he keeps careful track of the market, watching for crops with increasing demand.

Abou Baker understands his crop diversity helps sales and for years has maintained an open market on his farm, where his fresh, reasonably-priced, good quality produce sells well. He even makes use of herbal books to inform his customers about the medicinal benefits of the herbs he grows, how to prepare and store them.

Around his house can be found a couple of sheep, rabbits and some pet animals cared for by his family. There is also a small irrigation pond where he raises fish with the help of the Near East Foundation. Abou Baker was one of the 25 small farmers who received fingerlings, fish feed, and technical and financial assistance when NEF initiated a fish farming program in the area in 1999, in partnership with the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture and later supported by the Canada Fund.

"This pond is easy to manage. It does not require much work," he says, "and it generates $400-500 on average each season, as well as providing fish for my family and my neighbors all year round." In November, a traditional down-season, the family earned $700, an increase of about 15-20 per cent.

Near East Foundation has been working in fish farming in Jordan since 1986 and is committed to continue this important program, which improves the lives and livelihoods of small farmers like Abou Baker and their families. Nutrient-rich water from fish ponds irrigates and fertilizes crops, increases food production, supplements income, and enhances water productivity for Jordanians. And that's a solid success story.