Amman: The Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) on Saturday signed agreements for transferring responsibilities with Water User Associations (WUAs) and launched a second campaign to conserve irrigation water, in cooperation with Advance Consulting firm. The agreements involve six contracts with 18 water user associations, covering about 52 percent of the irrigated area in the Jordan Valley. JVA Secretary-General Hisham Haisa stated that these initiatives are part of the authority's strategy to promote participatory irrigation water management.
According to Jordan News Agency, these agreements are designed to enhance the efficiency of water resource management and improve the quality of services provided to farmers. The agreements extend an institutional framework that aims to empower WUAs as active partners in the management, operation, and maintenance of irrigation networks. This collaboration is intended to enhance sustainability and reduce water loss in the region.
The campaign targets approximately 450 farms across the Jordan Valley, focusing on detecting and repairing leaks in irrigation systems, improving water use efficiency, and building the capacity of JVA staff and WUAs. It also involves conducting awareness activities for farmers, as stated by Lamia Dabbas of JVA. The campaign includes training 20 participants in a specialized professional program and aims to reduce irrigation water loss by 15 to 20 percent, achieving water savings estimated at around 40,000 cubic meters.
The initiative is part of the Dutch Agricultural Support Project for Jordan (Holland Horti Support II), funded by the Dutch embassy and implemented in partnership with Wageningen University, in cooperation with several national partners.