The heatwave which has affected Jordan for the last 10 days is causing a sharp decline in the domestic crop yield. General Manager of the Jordanian Farmers Union (JFU) Mahmoud Oran: “The rise in temperatures is 12 to 15°C higher than usual. Therefore, a significant impact on this season’s crop yield is expected.”
The heatwave, which has been accompanied by a lack of water used for irrigation, will also affect production quantities during upcoming seasons, as it poses risks impacting the development and growth of plants. On August 31, the fifth day of the heatwave, only 280 tons of tomatoes entered the central vegetable market, marking roughly a 50 per cent decrease, Odeh continued.
President of JFU Odeh Rawashdeh noted that the agricultural sector is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change: “This unprecedented rise in temperatures is putting the sector at risk, damaging crops and causing a notable hike in prices.”
Rawashdeh added that the agricultural sector is being confronted with a fast surge in production costs, including fertilisers, feed, water, energy, labour and seeds.
Source: jordantimes.com