Smart investments and smarter water use in Jordan

Facing growing water scarcity, Jordan is piloting a new approach to make every drop count in agriculture by combining satellite data with farm-level economic analysis. 

The initiative links water productivity from space with on-the-ground data to provide practical evidence for smarter investment, stronger policies, and greater climate resilience. Traditional irrigation models often rely on assumptions that overlook real-world variation. Remote sensing offers a cost-effective alternative, showing precisely where water is used and how it generates value on the ground.

This approach is the focus of a new study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which was launched at a workshop in Amman this week, bringing together government agencies, research institutions, farmers, and private sector representatives.

Water scarcity remains one of the region’s most pressing challenges,” said Erifyli Nomikou, Value Chain Competitiveness Associate at EBRD. “By supporting the private sector, EBRD helps channel investments and innovative solutions that enable farmers to boost productivity, access markets, and build resilience – while promoting more sustainable water use.”

Participants at the workshop included the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jordan Valley Authority, National Agricultural Research Center, University of Jordan, Department of Statistics, farmer unions, water user associations, digital service startups, market outlets, and a pioneering citrus grower from the Jordan Valley.

Citrus was chosen as a test case because, in high-value crops, factors like fruit quality, market access, and production costs can be as important as yields for farmers’ incomes. Irrigation and farming practices also affect both costs and efficiency. The study’s economic irrigation water productivity (EIWP) analysis captures this complexity.

The study will apply FAO’s WaPOR tool, which tracks crop water use via satellite imagery updated every ten days at 20-metre resolution, and link it with on the ground data on farm management practices, yields, costs and prices. 

This will produce the first integrated assessment of both water productivity (crop output per unit of water) and water value (income per unit of water) in Jordan’s citrus sector.

In his opening speech, Mohamed Alhiary, Secretary General at the Ministry of Agriculture, said, “Improving irrigation efficiency in Jordan by just 10 percent could save over 50 million cubic meters of water annually, making a real difference for domestic and industrial needs. WaPOR allows us to measure evapotranspiration and compare it with production rates, providing accurate indicators of water use efficiency, and helping direct technical support to areas and periods where crops experience stress or low productivity.”

Preliminary analysis has revealed wide differences across farms, driven by irrigation efficiency, tree density, fruit quality and market access. Linking agronomic and economic data showed which practices and policies generate the greatest returns.

“By linking WaPOR with economic analysis, we can see not only where water is used efficiently, but where it creates the most value,” said Nabil Assaf, FAO Representative in Jordan. “This is vital for farmers seeking profitability and for governments shaping evidence-based policy.”[EL1] 

International experiences also informed the workshop, with lessons from Morocco and from the West Bank. 

Findings from a study on improving the economic water productivity of date palms in the West Bank were shared, showing how better farm and irrigation practices, enhanced fruit grading, and stronger farmer–buyer links can reduce water use while increasing incomes.

“This integrated approach is a first for Jordan. We can now pinpoint where water investments bring the greatest returns,” said Prof. Jawad Al-Bakri, University of Jordan.

Practical information to guide policy uptake is central. The Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jordan Valley Authority will review how findings can guide water allocation, pricing and farmer support programmes

Next steps include collecting field and market data, refining methodologies, and partnering with national stakeholders to sustain and expand water productivity and investment analyses. By combining innovative technology, investment insights, and collaborative policy dialogue, the initiative advances Jordan’s urgent goal: producing more and better food with less water, while boosting farm incomes.