Water minister checks on pilot irrigation project

Northeast Badia: Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud said Saturday that the Water Authority is in coordination with farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture to optimize water usage, calling for choosing crops suitable for the local environment to improve agricultural performance. He spoke during a tour of a farm in Sabha in the Northeastern Badia District, where he took a first-hand look at up-to-date irrigation and methods in Jordan. The minister urged farmers to adopt efficient and profitable cropping patterns, market and export produce at good prices, and support the ministry's efforts to transfer farming technology and preserve water resources. The farm is a model in using innovative local irrigation methods with various high-quality crops and modern agricultural technology, plus the means to combat drought and climate change, reduce evaporation and save time and effort. The minister was briefed on methods developed with Jordanian expertise to ensure irrigation efficiency, where 40-50 percen t of water is saved, as well as pest control means. Source: Jordan News Agency