Ajloun Governorate’s long-lived fruit trees represent an integral part of the region’s agricultural and environmental heritage. Olive, fig, pomegranate, and grape trees continue to stand as witnesses to a long history of generosity, carrying within their branches the stories of ancestors who passed them down to their children through generations.
اضافة اعلان
Ajloun Agriculture Director Eng. Seitan Al-Sarhan said that the governorate is distinguished by the presence of large numbers of mature fruit trees, some of which are several decades old. He noted that these trees constitute an important agricultural and environmental asset, reflecting the enduring relationship between people and the land throughout history.
He added that the trees contribute to preserving biodiversity and environmental balance, while also playing an economic role by providing high-quality agricultural products. Al-Sarhan explained that the Agriculture Directorate implements extension and awareness programs to help farmers care for these long-lived trees and protect them from diseases and natural factors.
Chairman of the Ajloun Farmers Union, lawyer Muneeb Al-Samadi, emphasized that these mature fruit trees are part of the governorate’s agricultural identity, having been closely tied to the lives of rural families and serving as a source of income for local communities for many decades.
He pointed out that Ajloun still hosts hundreds of trees that are several decades old and stressed the importance of supporting farmers and encouraging them to preserve this agricultural wealth, which represents both economic and cultural value for future generations.
For his part, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Ajloun National University, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Tahat, said that mature trees serve as a living record of plant genetic diversity and provide valuable opportunities for researchers to study local varieties that have adapted to the region’s climatic and environmental conditions over many decades.
He added that Ajloun possesses a unique agricultural environment that has contributed to the sustainability of these trees, highlighting the importance of scientifically documenting them and benefiting from their genetic characteristics in agricultural development programs and natural resource conservation efforts.
Agricultural heritage specialist Hamed Al-Qudah noted that mature fruit trees are not merely a source of agricultural production but also form part of the collective memory and cultural heritage associated with rural life in Ajloun.
He explained that many of these trees are linked to stories and traditions passed down through generations and have gradually become heritage landmarks that attract the interest of visitors and researchers studying the region’s agricultural and social history.
Farmer Arabi Freihat, who owns several ancient olive trees, said that some of the trees on his land were inherited from his father and grandfather and continue to produce good harvests despite having been planted decades ago.
He added that continuous care and preservation have helped maintain the trees’ productivity, noting that his connection to them goes beyond economic value, as they form part of his family’s history and memories.
Farmer Mohammad Al-Gharaibeh said that mature trees hold great symbolic value for farmers because they embody the bond between people and their land and reflect the efforts of previous generations who preserved them despite various challenges.
He stressed that these trees instill a sense of pride and belonging among farmers and underscored the importance of passing on the culture of preservation to younger generations to ensure the continuity of this rich agricultural legacy.
