Amman, April 22 (Petra) – The National Water Carrier Project stands as one of the Kingdom’s largest strategic initiatives, carrying far-reaching implications for agricultural and rural governorates while reshaping the national agricultural landscape.

The project, set to supply between 300 and 350 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually from Aqaba, represents a pivotal shift in the redistribution of water resources across the governorates. It is expected to support agricultural expansion in the Jordan Valley, improve water supply in higher-altitude and peripheral regions, and strengthen water and food security amid mounting climate challenges.

Food and water security experts told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the project will deliver a tangible developmental impact, particularly in governorates historically affected by water scarcity and limited agricultural investment.

International food security expert Fadel Zoubi said the National Water Carrier Project marks a strategic transformation in water resource management in Jordan, describing it as a cornerstone solution to longstanding challenges in the water sector and a key driver of enhanced food security nationwide.

He noted that the project, which involves desalinating Red Sea water in Aqaba and transporting it through a pipeline extending approximately 450 kilometers, will provide nearly 300 million cubic meters of water annually. This, he said, will help ease pressure on groundwater basins, curb over-extraction, and support the long-term sustainability of water resources.

Zoubi added that the project complements national efforts in rainwater harvesting and the integration of artificial intelligence technologies, which together will improve the efficiency of water distribution and reduce losses.

He underlined that a stable and reliable water supply will enable agricultural governorates, particularly the Jordan Valley and its extensions into Irbid and Balqa, to expand production in a more structured manner and introduce high-value crops, thereby narrowing the import gap and reinforcing food sovereignty.

Water diplomacy expert Maisoun Zoubi said the project constitutes a central pillar in restructuring Jordan’s water balance, particularly benefiting governorates with high agricultural demand.

She explained that supplying 300 to 350 million cubic meters annually could meet approximately 25 to 30 percent of drinking water needs, allowing conventional water resources to be redirected toward agriculture under a more efficient allocation framework.

She added that improved water availability could raise agricultural productivity by 10 to 20 percent, reduce crop losses, expand irrigated land by 5 to 10 percent, and encourage a shift toward export-oriented, high-value crops.

Director of the Jordanian Farmers Union, Mahmoud Oran, stressed the importance of aligning the project with broader water management reforms at the governorate level.

He said the challenge lies not only in increasing water supply but also in ensuring equitable and efficient distribution, highlighting the need to expand water harvesting projects and storage infrastructure, which remains limited relative to annual rainfall.

Oran also called for safeguarding agricultural land from urban encroachment and directing investments toward productive areas, measures that would bolster food security and create employment opportunities in rural communities.

Environmental experts indicated that the project’s impact extends beyond agriculture, contributing to ecosystem stability and enabling the recovery of depleted groundwater basins.

Environmental media expert Farah Atiyat said the project presents a significant opportunity to achieve a balanced approach between agricultural demands and ecosystem preservation. She noted that such a balance depends not only on increasing water supply but also on improving management practices and directing resources toward the most efficient uses.

She highlighted the need for adaptive distribution policies linked to ecosystem resilience, alongside stronger oversight of land use to prevent unregulated agricultural expansion and to protect water basins and natural habitats, particularly in vulnerable areas.

Regarding desalinated water use, Atiyat said it offers a strategic solution to water scarcity but requires careful management due to potential long-term impacts on soil properties, underscoring the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices that preserve soil fertility.

She added that environmental considerations extend across the entire desalination process, including brine management, noting that adherence to strict environmental standards can transform potential risks into opportunities for improved environmental governance.

Atiyat further stressed that the project could relieve pressure on groundwater resources and allow for their recovery, provided that firm measures are taken to regulate over-extraction. She also pointed to its role in advancing climate-smart agriculture, modern irrigation systems, and the adoption of less water-intensive crops.

Environmental policy expert Mona Hindieh said the National Water Carrier Project represents a strategic shift in water security management in Jordan, not only through the provision of desalinated water but also through its reliance on renewable energy, particularly solar power, to operate desalination and conveyance systems.

She explained that integrating solar energy into the project enhances its sustainability, reduces operational costs, and lowers its carbon footprint, positioning it as a model for linking water security with the transition to a low-emission economy and strengthening Jordan’s capacity to address climate and resource challenges simultaneously.

//Petra// AJ

22/04/2026 15:09:22