jordan pulse -

AMMAN — Early rainfall across the Kingdom heralds a promising rainfall and agricultural season compared to previous years, Director General of the Jordanian Farmers Union Mahmoud Al-Oran stated on Tuesday.
Al-Oran noted that the precipitation will positively impact various agricultural and environmental sectors by augmenting soil moisture, replenishing water reserves in springs and wells, stimulating natural pasture growth, and aiding forestry trees affected by recent drought years.
He added that the rain will support field crops and fruit trees, primarily olive orchards, while enhancing the natural environment for flora and wildlife.
Regarding the olive sector, Al-Oran explained that the rainfall helps wash dust and debris from trees and fruit, benefiting farmers and harvesters. The accompanying dip in temperatures also assists in mitigating tree-borne pests. He clarified, however, that rain cleanses the fruit rather than increasing its internal oil content.
Al-Oran anticipated that most olive presses will open for operation within approximately 15 days following the completion of technical preparations and regulatory inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and the Jordan Food and Drug Administration.
Addressing field crops, Al-Oran urged farmers to expedite the planting of wheat, barley, and legumes to leverage current soil moisture, noting that the sowing window remains limited to the coming weeks. He emphasized that rainfed agriculture faced reduced farmer participation in recent seasons due to precipitation deficits, despite its critical role in food security and strategic crop reserves.
He called for providing necessary production inputs—including seeds, equipment, and machinery—to enable farmers to expand field crop cultivation, thereby boosting local production, reducing import reliance, and buffering domestic markets against global price fluctuations.
Al-Oran concluded that the timing and volume of early rain serve as a positive indicator for rainfed and open-field agriculture, characterizing the current rainy season as promising for Jordan’s water and agricultural sectors.