Enhancing the Resilience of Rural Women’s Communities through the Valorization of Forest Products - TCP/JOR/3901

Enhancing the Resilience of Rural Women’s Communities through the Valorization of Forest Products - TCP/JOR/3901

Editor

FAO ;

Descripción

Jordan covers approximately 89 297 km², with a climate ranging from dry sub-humid Mediterranean in the north-west, receiving up to 600 mm of annual rainfall, to arid desert regions in the east and south with less than 50 mm. Forests, both natural and artificial, span around 870 000 dunum and 2 405 km of roadside plantations, mainly located in the northern mountainous regions where rainfall exceeds 200 mm annually. Despite covering less than 1 percent of the country’s land, forest cover in some governorates is relatively high, such as Ajloun (30 percent) and Jerash (20 percent). Jordan’s forests are fragmented, degraded and have limited natural regeneration. They are primarily managed for environmental protection rather than commercial wood production, offering modest amounts of firewood, small-scale furniture, joinery and fruit boxes. Forest products, such as mushrooms, wild fruits, aromatic and medicinal plants, play a vital role in rural livelihoods. The forests also provide grazing resources, with significant areas opened seasonally to livestock. Economically, Jordan is classified as an upper middle-income country with a gross national income per capita of USD 4 350. The economy is dominated by services contributing nearly 70 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and over 75 percent of employment. Agriculture covers around 0.42 million hectares (3 percent of land area) and contributes about 3 percent to GDP directly, although its indirect contribution through supporting industries is estimated at 27 percent.