Policy and adaptation in the Jordan Valley

The Jordan Valley (JV) is part of the Great Rift Valley that extends from south Turkey to the horn of Africa. In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (HKJ), it extends for about 400 km from the Jordanian borders south of Lake Tiberias in the north to the Gulf of Aqaba in the South. According to the JV Development law, it extends Westwards to the western Jordanian borders and Eastwards to 300 meters above sea level north of the Dead Sea and 500 meters above sea level south of the Dead Sea. The valley is 5-10 km wide, and its floor varies in elevation from -212m south of Lake Tiberias to - 417m at the Dead Sea, and it rises to +250 m in central Wadi Araba before it drops down to sea level in Aqaba. The variations in temperature, humidity, and rainfall produce distinct agro-climatic zones. Annual rainfall starts in October and ends in May, most of which fall from December to February. The northern area receives about 400 mm/year, while the southern areas receive 100 mm/year. In dry years precipitation drops down to 200 mm in the northern area, and to 50 mm at the Dead Sea, while in wet years these same locations receive up to 650 mm and 250 mm respectively. The salient variations between northern, central, and southern parts of the JV are also clear in terms of water availability, water quality, soil type, and cropping pattern. Water resources in the JV are scarce and deteriorating, which severely constrains agricultural production. The annual available water resources in the valley are estimated to be 300 ?350 million cubic meters (MCM), while the annual demand exceeds 500 MCM. The agricultural land that could be irrigated represents about 60% - 70% of the irrigable land in the valley due to the lack of water resources, and the gap between supply and demand is increasing due to the competition between municipal and industrial (M&I) water users and irrigation water users. The Jordan Valley can be considered a natural green house with the relative advantage of producing off-season fruits and vegetables. Although its area represents less than 5% of the HKJ area and its population less than 6% of the country?s population, the valley produces more than 60% of the Kingdom?s fruits and vegetables.