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IFAD
in Jordan
IFAD has committed US$71.4 million in loans in Jordan since 1981 to support agricultural development and reduce rural poverty. The funds have financed seven agricultural development programmes and projects, for a total value of US$189.3 million. IFAD is a leading partner in participatory development in Jordan, where it has worked with poor rural people to design programmes and projects in collaboration with the government and other partners. Activities have focused mainly on rainfed acriculture and livestock, small farm credit, income diversification and natural resources management. The most recent IFAD-supported projects have emphasized better use of soil and water resources, introducing improved management practices and focusing particularly on environmental conservation. They have had an increasing emphasis on strengthening the capacity of local communities to involve all of their members in making decisions and implementing projects, And they have worked to develop women’s capacity to participate in community planning processes. IFAD grants have supported innovative initiatives, including participatory rangeland management, a women’s village business incubator and rural microfinance services. Jordan has also benefited from a number of IFAD-supported regional grants. IFAD reviews have found that the results of activities have led to improved agricultural and livestock production. An evaluation of the Resource Management Project found that when all productive activities were combined the rate of economic return was 34.8 per cent. Improvements to physical resources, improved and rejuvenated agricultural production and promotion of off-farm income generation had a positive effect on family incomes. Likely increases in farm incomes were between 30 and 400 per cent. IFAD-financed projects in Jordan have contributed to reclamation and rehabilitation of agricultural land and rangeland, and to the construction of cisterns, canals, earth dams and rural roads. IFAD’s strategy in JordanTogether with national and international partners in Jordan, IFAD has developed thee main strategic objectives, as affirmed in its new country strategic opportunities programme (COSOP). The objectives are:
IFAD-financed investments support initiatives in areas with high rates of poverty and in active farming communities. To capture lessons in poverty reduction that are relevant and replicable in poverty zones nationwide, programme and project areas include various types of ecosystems, including rangelands and highlands. IFAD continues to support the participation of rural people and communities in the design and implementation of programmes and projects. It supports conservation and improvement of the natural resource base and adaptation to the effects of climate change to reduce poor people’s vulnerability by initiatives to diversify their livelihoods. To maximize farm incomes, programmes and projects support production of higher-value commodities and development of marketing mechanisms. IFAD is also assessing opportunities to increase incomes through alternative crops and improved quality assurance. Particularly for landless people, it promotes alternative and complementary sources of off-farm income generation and employment. The country programme for Jordan includes introducing new methods for delivering rural financial services and exploring opportunities of linkages with remittance services. Land-use planning and land development initiatives will take an integrated catchment/ watershed approach, to its experiences in other countries to promote the formation of local groups and farmers’ organizations, empowering them to improve their access to markets and services. Source: IFAD |
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Ongoing IFAD operations
