A water for peace strategy for the Jordan river basin by shifting cropping patterns

Abstract

There needs to be a policy shift to water thrifty and salt-tolerant crops in regions of water scarcity, such as that of the countries of the Jordan River Basin (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Israel) that must be implemented if conflicts over the use of meager water resources in that region is to be overcome. Investigations of the water consumption versus the possible economic returns for many tree crops, field crops, vegetable crops and medicinal plants is evaluated in order to support a water saving for peace policy. To succeed in the implementation of such a policy, the following criteria need to be addressed: These include planning, funding, education, marketing, technical know-how and the will to execute that water conservation policy. When evaluating the crops which are among those most feasible economically, most suitable for the local environment as well as for water conservation, such crops are not being produced enough in the Jordan River Basin countries neither for export nor for local consumption. Since the water used in agriculture represents 70-80 per cent of the overall water use, a shift to water thrifty cropping patterns can minimize conflict over the limited water resources. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.