SASWMP

Southern Arava Sustainable Waste Management Plan
 

Eco-agriculture Educational Program

A cross border  educational program for  training both Jordanian and Israeli farmers how to grow environmentally sound fruits and vegetables and market the produce in European supermarket chains.
The program trains farmers on both sides of the border  in “Good Agricultural Practice” – growing protocols that protect the environment, maintain humane conditions for the workers and ensure high quality, safe and clean produce (safe and sustainable agriculture). It is a continuation of the many years of Israeli – Jordanian cooperation between the Southern Arava R&D department (managed by Mr. Amnon Greenberg of Kibbutz Yotvata) and a Jordanian agricultural concern operating farms  across the border.  Ms. Libby Tobias (Kibbutz Yahel), a quality consultant, runs the educational program.

Jordanian program:

Agronomists  from six  farms in Wadi Araba, Jordan, participated in seminars and received individual consultation on the GLOBALGAP guidelines for compliance and certification. These guidelines relate to of every stage of production, with the desired result of ensuring the marketing of a high quality safe product, while protecting both the workers and environment.

The Jordanians learned  how to implement the relevant documentation and assimilate the detailed procedures for the entire production chain - planning and mapping the crops, soil and irrigation, use of fertilizer and pesticides, sanitary conditions for the workers in the fields and the packinghouse, picking, post harvest, storage and transportation to the markets. The packinghouse is operated according to clearly defined procedures for receiving, washing, storing, refrigeration, and sorting of the produce. Proper and humane work conditions are demanded for the benefit of the workers.

Meeting the requirements of GLOBALGAP is expensive, and demands major investments in infrastructure, but the successful implementation enables a higher rate of return by  marketing  in the European market. The Jordanians received GLOBALGAP certification on Sept. 5th, 2007  for the following fruits and vegetables: dates, grapes, tomatoes, melons and peppers.

Israeli program:

Aimed at the date growers from nine  kibbutzim in the Southern Arava, who already meet the GLOBALGAP standards, and market their dates in Europe through the Ardom date cooperative. The growers upgraded  to the demanding protocols of the supermarket chains “Tesco- Nature’s Choice ” and “Marks and Spencer’s- Field to Fork”. These specifically relate to conserving natural resources - water, land, energy; public health; protection of wildlife, and the educated use of pesticides and fertilizers.

The supermarket chains aim to sell products that “not only look and taste good but are grown with care for the environment”. This is achieved by applying best agricultural practice throughout the supply chain, in a documented system that is annually audited, and constantly updated.  The aim is to identify and adopt management systems and practices that lessen the disruption and the impact farming has on the environment.
The Israeli date growers successfully passed the TNC audits and received certification.

 This joint Jordanian–Israeli program acknowledges the shared interests of the two peoples on either side of the border. It encourages good neighbors and a clean, quality environment.
 Project summary