Research on World Agricultural Economy

Formulating Strategies for Improving Food Security among Smallholder Farmers in The Middle Jordan Valley (Ghawr)

Ansam Abdullah Ghanayem

Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Penang 11800, Malaysia

Radieah Mohd Nor

Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Penang 11800, Malaysia

Amani A Al-Assaf

Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v6i3.1950

Received: 9 April 2025 | Revised: 6 May 2025 | Accepted: 16 May 2025 | Published Online: 28 July 2025

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Abstract

The challenges faced by smallholder farmers are a critical issue for sustainable development, particularly in food security. Smallholder farmers in the Middle Jordan Valley face multiple constraints such as land degradation, climate change, limited market access, and inadequate resources. These pressures have led to migration out of agriculture, exacerbated by weak policies and regional conflicts. This study aims to analyse the factors affecting smallholder farmers’ food security, including key challenges, agricultural practices, and drivers of migration, and to explore strategies to strengthen food security in the region. This study used a qualitative approach with a survey method among smallholder farmers in the Middle Jordan Valley. The results showed that key challenges include high input costs, crop diseases, mounting debt, complex export policies, and water constraints due to extreme climates. The analysis identified two quadrants of push factors: Quadrant 1 covers short-term impacts such as financial, nutritional, and health pressures, while Quadrant 2 contains long-term impacts such as youth dissatisfaction with the agricultural sector due to unsupportive policies. This study provides policy recommendations to maintain the sustainability of agriculture in the Middle Jordan Valley. The proposed measures include the development of water-efficient irrigation strategies, implementing environmentally friendly agricultural practices, and reforming export policy, strengthening local market access, providing agricultural input subsidies, strengthening farmer cooperatives, and income diversification programs and new skills education. These recommendations aim to improve the welfare of small farmers and attract the younger generation's interest in continuing to contribute to the agricultural sector.

Keywords: Food Security; Policy; Push Factors; Smallholder Farmers; Sustainability

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