King Orders Government to Assist Jordan Valley Farmers

Amman
11 March 2003

His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday ordered the government to assist farmers in the Jordan Valley, whose farm land have been severely damaged by recent floods in the River Jordan.

During a tour of 15 farms making about 550 dumdums in the valley, King Abdullah instructed the government to find the suitable mechanism to aid owners of the farms as soon as possible. Beside fruit and vegetable farms, other damaged farms are used for fishery wealth and bee breeding.

The King instructed Agriculture Minister to conduct a study on the ideal methods to preserve the Jordan Valley environment and to overcome the difficulties that impede sustainable development in the area.

Water Minister Hazem Al Nasser said such flood caused by recent n heavy rain and snow fall, could happen once again unless Al Wahdah Dam on the River Yarmuk between Jordan and Syria is constructed.