International food security expert Dr. Fadel Elzubi stated that amid escalating challenges of water scarcity and climate change, Jordan’s agricultural sector stands at a pivotal moment requiring a profound shift in production philosophy and resource management. Jordan ranks among the world’s most water-poor countries, and as per capita water shares decline to critical levels, continuing with a farming model that relies on water-intensive crops in a resource-scarce environment is no longer sustainable.
He added that agriculture in Jordan is not merely an economic activity, but a cornerstone of food security and social stability in rural areas. Yet it consumes a significant share of available water resources. With increasing drought cycles, rising temperatures, and erratic rainfall driven by climate change, water-use efficiency has become a decisive benchmark for the sector’s sustainability.
Elzubi clarified that the required transformation does not mean shrinking agriculture, but restructuring it. The new equation must be built on producing higher food and economic value per cubic meter of water. This demands expanding modern irrigation technologies foremost among them advanced drip irrigation and sensor-based monitoring systems that deliver only what crops actually need alongside a shift toward protected agriculture, including plastic greenhouses and closed hydroponic systems, which have proven capable of drastically reducing water consumption while boosting productivity.
Beyond the technical dimension, he stressed an equally important policy dimension. Redirecting agricultural subsidies toward higher-value, lower water-consuming crops has become a strategic necessity. Developing water pricing policies tied to efficiency indicators can serve as an incentive for adopting more sustainable production practices, and this must be accompanied by advanced agricultural extension programs that strengthen farmers’ capacity to adapt to climate variability.
He continued that building climate resilience requires investment in agricultural research particularly developing crop varieties more tolerant of drought and heat and expanding the use of renewable energy in agricultural pumping and cooling to simultaneously reduce production costs and emissions. Linking agricultural policy with energy, water, and environmental policies has become a fundamental condition for achieving effective integrated resource management.
Elzubi noted that the agricultural transformation should be viewed as an economic opportunity, not merely a crisis response. Global demand is growing for high-quality, environmentally sustainable agricultural products, and Jordan by adopting production standards with a low water and carbon footprint can enhance its competitiveness in export markets, particularly in high-value fresh produce.
He concluded that transitioning toward high-efficiency, climate-resilient agriculture is fundamentally a shift in mindset: from managing scarcity through short-term reactions, to long-term strategic planning that balances food security with resource sustainability. This path requires a genuine partnership between government, the private sector, farmers, and scientific research institutions.
Elzubi warned that continuing under the traditional model will intensify pressure on limited water resources and deepen the sector’s vulnerability to climate and economic shocks. Adopting a path of systemic transformation built on precise measurement of water efficiency, restructuring production patterns, and investing in technology and innovation will convert the challenge into an opportunity to build an agricultural sector that is more resilient and more capable of achieving national food security.
He concluded: Jordan cannot afford the luxury of delay. The transition is no longer a choice it is a strategic necessity to ensure the sustainability of agriculture and protect the resources of future generations.