Farming systems enhancement in North-East Badia Highlands, Jordan

North-East Badia, Jordan, is inhabited by half a million Syrian refugees and an equal number of Jordanians, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. Working in the agricultural sector is characterized by low wages, long hours, poor working conditions, lack of occupational health and safety, and a high incidence of child labour. In addition, Jordan faces severe water scarcity, with annual demand roughly double the available supply and weak water resource management exacerbating the problem. Climate change further threatens the water supply and the agricultural sector, that is also constrained by limited arable land, while increased groundwater salinity in the past 30 years has had a negative impact on crop yield and farmer incomes. Innovative pathways are needed to improve the livelihoods of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians in the agricultural sector.