Farming in an Arid Region

ziadn27

I'm trying to get some information from farmers or farming experts on a certain plot or agricultural land located in Amman Jordan. The area in question can be found on Google earth by entering the following coordinates (32°18'11.03, 35°59'10.43). The elevation of the farm is between 2,500 and 2,700 feet above sea level. The region has a very arid landscape which is why I’m trying to get an experts opinion on what type of plants (herbs, fruits, vegetables, trees) could be planted in the region. The region has a very low average of rainfall; in fact the country of Jordan as a whole comes in at number 4 in the world for the lowest average rainfall. Jerash where the farms are located receives an average of 0 - 114mm or rainfall a month. Please see attachments for specifics.



All the farmers have wells dug that collects rainfall to use for watering their crops, but the amount collected is normally not enough which is why the majority of farmers resort to purchasing water from external sources. I’d like an experts opinion on what possible crop could be grown that suits the climate and the amount of rainfall. I would like to keep external water use to a minimum so that the crop is close to being self sustainable as possible. The country ranks number 2 behind the United States in potash exports and is ranked top 10 in phosphate mining. Potash and Phosphate is plentiful in the region but would rather keep the use of fertilizer limited if possible. I have tried getting some information from the ministry of Agriculture in Jordan, but they are as useless as a white crayon. Any information or suggestions are welcomed.

Manoffeeling

Are you for real, opening up a thread with the intent of asking IRISH farmers how to farm in an arid region?

Maybe juniper berries?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krb2OdQksMc

IPFree

Maybe something like Sarcopoterium spinosa or Neem trees. Both should be suitable and have a marketable product. In particular the neem if schmallenberg ridden midges keep surviving my attempts to kill them all with the shovel!
Have a look @ http://www.fwi.co.uk/articles/07/02/...mallenberg.htm for potential market.

Best of luck, send some of that heat over please!

pakalasa

ziadn27

Manoffeeling wrote: »

Are you for real, opening up a thread with the intent of asking IRISH farmers how to farm in an arid region?

Maybe juniper berries?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krb2OdQksMc

Thanks for the video , unfortunately it was not much help . If any country has the expertise on Farming whether it is in a dry climate or not its Ireland

ziadn27

IPFree wrote: »

Maybe something like Sarcopoterium spinosa or Neem trees. Both should be suitable and have a marketable product. In particular the neem if schmallenberg ridden midges keep surviving my attempts to kill them all with the shovel!
Have a look @ http://www.fwi.co.uk/articles/07/02/...mallenberg.htm for potential market.

Best of luck, send some of that heat over please!

Well gladly exchange some of the Jordanian sun for some of the Irish rain And thanks for your input, i have done alot of research on Neem tree and its insecticidal properties.

somefeen

Only thing I can think of is Salicornia. Grown alot in Saudi arabia
It does need water, but its very tolerant of salinity.
You might get away with seawater, mildly desalinated, as long as you can cheaply transport it to the site.

bogman_bass

what are the crops being grown in the locality at present? They are probably being grown for a reason so that whould be the first thing I would look at. Probably taling about chickpeas, olives or tabbaco

Muckit

bogman_bass wrote: »

what are the crops being grown in the locality at present? They are probably being grown for a reason so that whould be the first thing I would look at.

Seen it all around here from pot belly pigs, deer to ostriches! They're all back beef farming! Know nothing about crops, but bogman makes a good point. Certain type farming is popular in a region for a reason. If there are no crops or animals in the area you are trying to start up there may be a reason for this too!

Suckler

Tomatoes. I've never seen as many tomatoes as I did when I traveled through Jordan.

belcampprisoner

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=farming+jordan&spell=1&sa=X&ei=17p0UZ3YEuKXiQKgp4DAAw&ved=0CCsQvwUoAA&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=6f3b78d78652b3e1&biw=1366&bih=599