Income & Food Boosts From Fish-Farming in Jordan

Summary

We will expand fish-farming and train poor Jordan Valley farmers wise water management and crop diversity to increase incomes, nutrition, and food security for 5 to 7 member families and day laborers.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

In this very poor area, one of the 10 most water-deprived in the world, farm families can increase incomes 10% to 15% each year by raising fish in ponds on their farms. The fish provide protein-rich food for families and neighbors and also can be sold. The fertilizer-rich pond water, in turn, can irrigate crops twice weekly. This project was a success for 20 years, but funding is no longer available. It could expand and benefit thousands more in the Jordan Valley's central and northern regions.

How will this project solve this problem?

Provide equipment, fingerlings, feed, technical, marketing & distribution assistance for 10 fish farms for a complete cycle of 9-months. Fills income gap between agricultural growing seasons with sustainable income.

Potential Long Term Impact

Begun in 1986 and successfully expanded since, fish farming could go national in Jordan. Diverse fish species, from tilapia to carp and mullet, can be farmed and marketed in large cities other than Amman.

Project Message

"This pond is easy to manage. It does not require much work and it generates $400 to $500 on average each season, as well as providing fish for my family and my neighbors all year round."
- Abou Baker, Jordanian farmer in Gor Al-Safi district

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources