Cropping patterns as a tool for water resource management in Palestine: date palm cultivation in Jiftlik, Jordan Valley

Abstract

Large agricultural areas in the Jordan River valley, Palestine have saline soils, a problem that is worsening over time. Many farmers are forced to abandon agriculture as the source of living and thus the socio-economic status of the residents in these areas is negatively affected. Date palm survives in salinity-affected soils with minor reductions in yield and can adapt to the hot climate of the study area of Jiftlik in the Jordan Valley. This paper discusses the suitability of brackish water resources in Jiftlik for cultivating date palms as an alternative crop to overcome salinity problem. We present an estimate of the potential scale of application of this crop versus the amount of available water, based on crop water requirements and water quality. Finally, we suggest the potential locations for the cultivation of date palms.

Keywords:

• Date palm
• Brackish water
• Cropping pattern

Acknowledgements

The data presented in this paper were mostly collected within the framework of ‘The Fara’a and Jerash Integrated Watershed Management Project’ funded by the European Commission. This was used as a graduation project in the integrated water resources management E-learning program at the AGU-WVLC in Bahrain. The author highly appreciates the assistance of the PWA for making available the necessary water data, the GIS department at the EQA for producing the necessary maps, and the revisions to the manuscript made by several colleagues.

Notes

aValues are as recommended by FAO for the study area.

aApplication efficiency of 90% was used.