The issue of fertilizers and pesticides in the Jordan Valley is no longer merely a routine purchasing process. It has become a complex equation linking production costs, efficient use, safety requirements and oversight.
اضافة اعلان
In a region whose extensive agricultural sector depends on regular fertilization and spraying, farmers face the challenge of balancing lower seasonal costs with ensuring crop quality. This places regulatory and agricultural extension authorities before the responsibility of protecting the production process from improper practices and adulterated materials, whose negative effects could extend to soil fertility in the long term.
Combating losses and protecting production
Farmers say losses resulting from the use of an unsuitable or unknown-source production input far exceed the price of the material itself. They can take the form of declining productivity, deteriorating crop quality, soil stress and the long-term loss of soil fertility. They note that agricultural inputs constitute a major part of seasonal costs because they are directly linked to crop safety and productivity.
Farmer Ali Al-Zainat said: “In agriculture, farmers face a market with many types and formulations of fertilizers, while prices vary according to the product, composition and source. This variety makes the purchasing decision more sensitive, particularly for farmers trying to reduce seasonal costs without affecting production.”
He added: “This is why it is important for product information to be clear, for farmers to know what they are buying, for the material to come from a trusted source, and for a technical authority to be available for consultation when needed.” He noted that continued inspections of agricultural supply stores help create a more organized environment for store owners themselves, ensuring that trading rules are clear and that agricultural materials are handled in accordance with approved requirements.
Farmer Ayman Abu Zeina said: “We do not buy fertilizers from unknown sources because we want to. We do it because we can no longer bear the high costs, especially as preparations for the season begin and there are many other expenses, including seeds, plastic, labor, water and electricity. Altogether, it is a backbreaking bill.”
“The farmer today finds himself surrounded by debt. When someone offers you a fertilizer package described as excellent at half the original price, you cling to hope and tell yourself that perhaps it will do the job and save the season, especially since the prices of guaranteed fertilizers have risen unreasonably,” he added.
He said some traders take advantage of farmers by offering fertilizers with flexible payment terms, explaining that in the absence of rapid field testing and because many farmers do not know how to read the chemical composition details on labels, they can easily fall into the trap.
Farmer Khaled Al-Rayahneh said: “The real bitterness does not come when you buy the fertilizer, but two or three weeks later, when you are surprised to see the leaves turning yellow, the roots burned, or the soil becoming saline and hard.”
“That is when disaster strikes. We have already paid for the adulterated fertilizer and then have to pay again for treatments to address the damage,” he added. “The loss is no longer the price of a bag of fertilizer, but the loss of the entire crop and season a loss that cannot be recovered, especially after planting windows have passed.”
Farmers are calling for genuine oversight to prevent such materials from entering the market, alongside measures to control the prices of genuine fertilizers and help farmers obtain quality production inputs at fair prices, so they are not forced to risk losing their seasons and their families’ livelihoods.
Chairman of the Jordanian Citrus Growers Association Engineer Abdul Rahman Al-Ghazawi stressed that proper fertilizer use contributes to improving productivity and preserving soil fertility over the long term. He added that this requires continued monitoring, particularly as farmers’ needs change from one season to another and the required materials vary according to the crop and its stage of growth.
He called on agricultural directorates, through extension services and oversight, to provide farmers with clearer information before they make purchasing and usage decisions, stressing that agricultural supply store owners’ compliance with regulations remains a key element in controlling the market.
Field inspections and strict requirements
Director of the Northern Jordan Valley Agriculture Directorate Dr. Engineer Mohammad Al-Naim said the directorate conducts intensive field campaigns targeting agricultural supply and fertilizer stores to ensure compliance with regulations and requirements governing the trade of such materials. He stressed the continued need to purchase products from licensed and trusted sources, warning against buying materials from unknown sources or those promoted at unreasonably low prices, as they can cause serious damage to crops.
He said the Ministry of Agriculture is working to study and regulate the costs of production inputs, including fertilizers, pesticides and seeds, with the aim of addressing unjustified increases and examining prices in countries of origin and regional markets to arrive at clearer cost structures.
He urged farmers to ensure that fertilizer packages carry clear labels specifying the type of fertilizer, its chemical composition, production and expiry dates, and safe-use instructions.
Al-Naim stressed the need to select fertilizers according to the type of crop and its stage of growth, adhere to recommended quantities and avoid excessive use. He also advised storing fertilizers in dry, safe places away from moisture and direct sunlight, and urged farmers to consult specialized agricultural engineers before using fertilizers to obtain appropriate technical recommendations.
He noted that oversight of production inputs cannot be separated from understanding farmers’ needs, the nature of crops and their growing seasons, or the climatic conditions affecting the region. He said the directorate continuously conducts field inspection tours alongside extension and monitoring services covering various areas of the plant, livestock and forestry sectors.
Technical teams also conduct field visits to collect data on the agricultural sector, helping identify farmers’ needs and improve technical and agricultural extension services.
The Department of Statistics said prices of agricultural production inputs, including organic and chemical fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and seedlings, are among the data it monitors to measure agricultural prices and production costs. It also noted that the costs of production inputs and marketing affect the returns received by farmers.
According to official data issued by the relevant authorities, the total utilized agricultural area is estimated at around 355,000 dunums, including approximately 226,000 dunums of vegetables, 100,000 dunums of fruit trees, and 28,000 dunums of field crops such as wheat, barley and fodder.
Resource: Al-Ghad. Reporting; Ola Abdel Latif
