Farmers, livestock breeders urged to take precautions during hot weather

AMMAN – Farmers and livestock breeders are urged to take precautionary measures to protect their cattle and crops as a hot spell is expected to prevail next week, the Agriculture Ministry said Thursday.

Although this time temperatures will not soar to above 40°C as during the last heatwave that hit the country, according to the Jordan Metrological Department,  the weather conditions call for “special” attention by farmers and livestock breeders, a ministry official said.

“Fortunately, we have very alert and educated farmers, but losses are inevitable if no extra efforts are exerted during extraordinary weather conditions,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Nimer Haddadin, told The Jordan Times. 

Farmers are advised to irrigate their crops more during hot weather, while animal breeders should maintain certain temperatures and ventilation inside coops and barns, he said. 

“Bee farmers should shade their hives,” the spokesperson highlighted, noting that the ministry is concerned about those whose farms are not well equipped for the heat. 

“We especially fear for tomato farmers, whose crops are extra sensitive to extreme weather conditions,” Haddadin said.

Exports of fruits and vegetables had recently recovered after the last heatwave caused losses to the sector.

However, the Agriculture Ministry did not identify the exact amount of losses incurred by the agricultural sector due to the high temperatures.

Jordan is among the top 10 world countries in terms of producing and exporting tomatoes, which constitute around 65 per cent of total exported agricultural produce, according to official figures.

Nearly 65 per cent of the total 900,000 tonnes of agricultural exports each year are tomatoes, Haddadin said in previous remarks to The Jordan Times.