Study Commissioned by the International Fund for Agricultural Development
on behalf of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Environmental Appraisal for Pastoral Resource 
Assessment and Monitoring in Jordan

Summary

Livestock numbers, predominantly those of small ruminants, appear to have increased markedly in recent years. This is thought to have been, at least in part, due to the availability of subsidised animal feeds, which has led to the widespread use of imported wheat and barley for dry season animal feeding. As a result, stocking rates have risen to unprecedented levels. It should be noted, however, that feed subsidies have recently been phased out, although it is not yet clear what impact this has had on livestock numbers. In addition the rangeland is being encroached upon, as extensive farming becomes more widespread in areas unsuited to arable cropping. This situation has been compounded by the fact that traditional seasonal livestock movement patterns are breaking down.

In 1991, an IFAD reconnaissance Mission identified the potential for establishing a "Range Improvement Project", which subsequently led to the preparation of the proposed National Programme for Range Rehabilitation and Development (NPRRD). The Report sets out the goals and objectives of a Development Programme to address the problem in three phases: a precondition phase consisting of adjustment, research, education and training; a de-stocking-based resource recovery phase, involving the development of commercial feed production and an emergency feed supply; and a sustainable feed, livestock and rangeland development phase. The approach taken is that long-term rangeland recovery should be the focal point of possible IFAD assistance, during which the livestock sub-sector would be structurally transformed.

Also emphasised in the Formulation Report is the need for ‘defining appropriate land use’. This entails assessing available resources, and using the results from these baseline estimates to help identify which areas are best suited to land uses, such as grazing, extensive cropping, and irrigation. Accordingly, the Report recommends the establishment of a Pastoral Resource Assessment and Monitoring Component that should be integral to all three Phases. This should, in the first instance, assess and evaluate current resources, identify gaps in existing knowledge, and then monitor these resources, so that the impact of the Development Programme can be evaluated objectively.

There is a wealth of data and skills available in Jordan, so much of the information and expertise required for an effective assessment of pastoral resources is already accessible. It is, however, dispersed amongst a wide range of government and other institutions, and there is currently little co-ordination, or exchange of information between the various organisations.

It is therefore proposed that a special Unit be established for Pastoral Resource Information, Monitoring and Evaluation (PRIME). The Unit would be responsible for collecting, collating, and integrating all information relating to rangelands, livestock and land-use currently available in Jordan. This would be undertaken through formal collaborative agreements within government and other institutions. Where necessary, ancillary studies would be commissioned to fill information gaps, and obtain additional information, as required. Supervision, equipment and training would be provided, where needed. In order to minimise start-up costs, such studies would be achieved through building on planned or existing projects, where practical, and by strengthening or expanding existing national capabilities.

Three categories of studies would be undertaken:

Once the initial pastoral resource assessment had been achieved, PRIME’s subsequent activities would be directed at: refining the primary database; building national capacity to ensure sustainability of the Unit; and conducting more detailed studies associated with specific local interventions.

PRIME would also commission a series of socio-economic surveys to be implemented by collaborating institutions and consultants, and oversee the collation and analysis of information obtained from such studies. The objective of these activities would be to identify those elements of the rural population most susceptible to the impact of rangeland degradation; defining their geographical locations; and thus providing an objective basis for targeting inputs and activities for poverty alleviation.

A factor mitigating against action to save Jordan’s rangeland is that the public is generally ill-informed about the condition and dynamics of nearly 90% of their land resources. If rangeland rehabilitation is to have any chance of success, this situation must change, and the population at large must be made aware of the dangers of inaction.

This can only be achieved if real attempts are made to provide and disseminate reliable information through whatever means are available - including community awareness and training, extension and communication units, and mass media campaigns. To this end, PRIME would design and supervise implementation of a national awareness programme to: raise the profile of rangelands and arid land development, both amongst pastoralists, themselves, and the wider general public; identify and focus in on the problems that need to be addressed; and highlight the consequences of neglect and misuse.

The proposed Project would run for a period of 5 years, which is considered the optimum time necessary for establishing reliable data on national trends in rangeland use and status. An alternative would be to consider funding the project over a three year period, with the costs for PY4 and PY5 being incorporated into the National Programme for Range Rehabilitation and Development. Total project cost for the three year period would amount to US$ 4.98 million (JD 3.47 million).