Tuesday 10 September Holland Horti Support Jordan kicked off its training and extension activities with a first field day. The Advance Consulting team explained the scope of our project and demonstrated several new products and technologies to a group of more than 20 Jordanian horticultural growers during the morning. In the afternoon a similar program was implemented for a group of 25 Dutch civil servants.
The demonstrated cost-effective innovations meet one or more of the following objectives:
- low cost and low financial risk interventions;
- economic viability and short pay-back period;
- water efficiency and water reduction as integral part of productivity and income improvement strategy;
- reduced and more responsible use and application of agro-chemicals to ensure international market access.
The field day was conducted in the Highlands at one of the partner farmers in the project, Mr. Badr al Nabulsi. Badr welcomed the two visiting groups at his farm near the city of Madaba. Badr is a 4th generation farmer who is eager to learn and work together with our project to try out new practices and innovations. He does his best to keep his business profitable despite the difficult circumstances for growers such as closed borders, water scarcity and high operational costs.
The group of Jordanian horticulture growers attended the morning session of the farmer field day. The second group, consisting of 25 Dutch government officials, came from The Hague and Dutch Embassies in the MENA-region. Their visit was part of a ‘Regional Learning Journey’ through which the officials are taking stock of the challenges, and discuss possible solutions, for issues relating to water, energy and food security.
Both groups learned more about the project and the innovations in cultivation practices that were demonstrated. Afterwards, lively discussions took place amongst the attendees. The Jordanian growers analysed the costs and benefits of the demonstrated innovations for cultivation. The Dutch government officials were also interested in the suitability of the agronomic improvements and responsible water use for agriculture in the MENA-region.
Advance Consulting will continue organizing similar events in Jordan to inform and train local SME companies in the horticulture sector.
Curious about the demonstrated innovations? Click on this link to find out more: www.HollandHortiSupportJordan.com/pilot-activities/