(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, Oct. 1 (Petra) – The government on Wednesday granted a boost to farmers in the Central Badia, with the Cabinet approving a decision to exempt cooperative associations from paying fees for treated wastewater used in irrigation. The move aims to ease financial burdens, sustain agricultural projects that provide fodder for livestock breeders, generate jobs, combat desertification and promote sustainable development in the region.
Treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants is considered a vital resource for the agricultural sector, particularly in restricted farming that supports fodder crops while conserving traditional water sources.
Heads of cooperative associations in the Central Badia welcomed the Cabinet's decision, telling Petra that the exemption will help sustain their projects, benefit local communities, reduce unemployment and strengthen the supply of animal feed.
Mohammad Trad Al-Fayez, head of Bayt Al-Khair Charitable Society one of the first groups to invest in using treated water said the resource has provided farmers with a reliable year-round supply, allowing them to plan their seasons, improve productivity and enhance crop quality. He praised the Cabinet decision, noting it will encourage expansion of agricultural projects, create jobs, reduce farmers' financial costs and stimulate growth in the sector, with positive spillover on the wider economy.
Mohammad Al-Hamed, director of Nabaa Thamad Charitable Association Project, said treated water has become a "strategic resource" rather than a secondary option, helping farmers face water scarcity and economic challenges. He thanked the government for the exemption, which he said would allow farmers to expand cultivation, ensure economic feasibility and continue supplying fodder while also mitigating desertification.
He noted that the initiative has eased pressure on groundwater, reduced environmental pollution, and raised farmers' awareness of the need for water conservation and sustainable alternatives.
Al-Hamed stressed the importance of continued technical support and training to guarantee safe and effective use of reclaimed water.
According to Water Ministry figures, wastewater inflows to treatment plants reached 221.1 million cubic meters in 2024, with 214.4 million cubic meters treated and 197.5 million cubic meters used by farmers.
In its session chaired on Wednesday by Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan, the Cabinet approved the exemption of treated water fees from the South Amman wastewater treatment plant for the coalition of cooperative associations in the Central Badia, classifying the costs as direct government support.

MENAFN01102025000117011021ID1110138711