There is a desperate shortage of fresh water in the Middle East.  More water resources must be reserved for drinking each year while growing populations also boost the demand for agricultural products.  In an effort to supply the needs of the populations for water, food and produce; gray water, run-off water and saline water resources are being used for farming. This has spurred the search for new crops that tolerate saline, brackish and poor quality water.
 

Attempts are being made to introduce salt tolerant, water saving crops in more sustainable agricultural systems.  But not much is known about the long-term sustainability and the benefits of reclamative, drought-resistant cultivars.  While the need for such sustainable agricultural systems is obvious, much must be done to develop an alternative set of crop choices that will allow Jordanian and Israeli farmers to make a living while preserving local soil and water resources.
 

The main objectives of this joint project are to investigate the benefits and the problems of new water saving sustainable crops in the arid south of Israel and Jordan, particularly the arid regions; to exchange plant materials and knowledge about traditional crops, lost crops and water thrifty crop candidates; to set up an Israeli-Jordanian format for cooperation in the arid zones of both countries for the promotion of ecological agriculture and to establish the foundations for more sustainable agricultural systems suitable for arid lands permaculture and long cycle arboreal crop rotation.
 

As of this date, a number of seed exchanges have taken place between the partners. At JUST, a greenhouse was constructed specifically for this project and seed propagation is well underway. Dr. Samer Talozi has visited AIES twice in regards to this project and Dr. Solowey is planning a trip to JUST this July 2009.

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