Vast agricultural lands in the Northern Jordan Valley and Badia region were affected by the cold spell that struck the Kingdom in the past few days, causing extensive damage to a variety of crops, according to farmers.
Farmers told Petra that sub-zero temperatures caused extensive losses to the sector, demanding that the government speedily assess damage for compensation from the Agricultural Risk Fund.
In the Northern Jordan Valley, potato and other vegetable crops were totally destroyed, and banana and citrus farms also suffered heavy damage, which will sharply reduce the season’s production and the quality of fruits, they said.
Jordan Valley Farmers Association Head Adnan Khaddam said that the Ministry of Agriculture was notified on the size of losses due to the frigid weather that swept across the Jordan Valley, urging speedy compensation for farmers.
Director of Agriculture in the Northern Jordan Valley, Raed Shurman told Petra that three committees were formed to assess the losses incurred by farmers.
Source: Jordan News Agency