Ajloun governorate is currently seeing the ripening and harvest seasons of several crops converge, including pomegranates, grapes, figs, jujube and cactus pear (sabr), in an agricultural scene that reflects the diversity of local production and the range of crops arriving successively in markets and sales outlets.
اضافة اعلان
Ajloun's director of agriculture, engineer Saitan al-Sarhan, said the simultaneous production of several crops during this period reflects the diversity of agricultural activity in the governorate. He noted that the varying agricultural environments across Ajloun's different areas allow for the production of multiple varieties, with ripening and harvest times differing according to each area's characteristics and the crop grown.
He added that this diversity gives the governorate's agricultural season its own distinct character, in terms of both the number of crops and the succession of their production periods, stressing the importance of caring for trees, monitoring ripening stages, and choosing appropriate harvest times to preserve fruit quality and reduce losses.
For his part, the head of the Farmers' Union in Ajloun, Munib al-Smadi, said the simultaneous arrival of several local crops in markets requires marketing outlets that help farmers sell their produce and reach consumers directly, affirming that marketing represents an essential stage in a farmer benefiting from his season and production.
He explained that local markets, bazaars and direct sales outlets provide opportunities to market agricultural products and showcase the governorate's crops, noting that expanding marketing channels and supporting initiatives help local products reach wider markets.
For her part, the head of the Wadi Rajib Women's Association, Mouza Freihat, said the diversity of crops during this period gives productive families and women multiple avenues to benefit from local production and convert part of it into food products that add value to the crop and allow continued benefit after the harvest period ends.
She affirmed that women's participation in processing and marketing local products gives them opportunities to benefit from the agricultural seasons, noting that associations and bazaars serve as a platform to display these products, promote them, and reach consumers.
Farmers Mustafa al-Barakat and Ibrahim Shaaban noted that this period sees increased activity in orchards as the ripening and harvest of several crops coincide, explaining that each farmer follows each crop according to its ripening stages and needs, and determines the harvest date based on the fruit's condition and readiness for market.
They added that a farmer's accumulated experience helps in monitoring crops, knowing their ripening times, and handling them during harvest, affirming that preserving fruit quality begins in the orchard and continues through collection and preparation until the produce reaches markets.
For his part, herbalist/shopkeeper Wasfi Abu Kaf said public demand for seasonal crops and their products increases during their availability periods, explaining that pomegranates, grapes, figs, jujube and cactus pear have a clear presence in local residents' daily food uses.
He noted that demand for some crops continues through their derivative products after the harvest period ends, affirming that the diversity of uses and preparation methods helps sustain their presence among consumers for a longer period.
Source: Al-Ghad.
