الامن الغذائ في الاردن (1978 - 1998م)

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, the researcher seeks _to shed light on food security in Jordan which faces,_a.real problem in terms of the scarcity of arable lands and the fact’ that they-are not completely utilized in spite of their scarcity. Add to this the large increase in population as a result of natural and non-natural factors which in itself doubled the population fivefold over the last four decades. The architectural expansion at the expense of arable land has had an extremely great impact on the further deterioration of the food problem in Jordan. Emanating from this, the researcher is highly interested in the definition, description and analysis of the food situation in Jordan as regards the available resources and food situation in terms of production, consumption and the food gaps and its impacts from the political, economical and social aspects. Then the Jordanian strategy to alleviate the lack of food security to the greatest extent possible, in addition to the economical and agricultural integration between Jordan and Sudan in view of the_avai|abi|ity of potential, expertise, the identical future vision and the similarity of the economic pattern in both countries. The scarcity of arable land, the low income, the lack of interest on the part of the successive governments in the food and agricultural aspects in Jordan are considered the most important results reached by this study; and may be safely considered as the most important reasons for the lack of food security locally. Based on said results, the researcher recommends, in his study, that care should be concentrated on the “farmer” being the crux and the most influencial factor in production and food security. He also recommends the removal of obstacles, the increase of governmental interest in the agricultural and production sectors, the work for productive and agricultural integration between the Arab countries and Jordan particularly Sudan in view of the availability of arable land, the presence of agricultural expertise and labor force in great abundance. He also recommends the adoption of an agricultural policy that aims at the organization and development of the agriculture and food sectors, and the ideal utilization of the available resources to limit the deteriorating situation of food security .in Jordan.