We interviewed 315 farmers in Northern Jordan, particularly in Mafraq and Irbid. Here is what we found out!
The VentureX
Establishing and managing unique acceleration programs and investing behind innovation.
At VentureX, we believe that the best way to create meaningful, sustainable change in agriculture is to first understand the challenges farmers face on the ground. That’s why, in collaboration with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation (HSI), we conducted a detailed needs assessment through surveys and focus group discussions with 315 farmers in Northern Jordan, particularly in Mafraq and Irbid.?
These interviews revealed not only the resilience of Jordan’s agricultural community but also the critical challenges threatening their livelihoods.??
“I work with Aluminum. I made some shelves?
and with the help of solar energy, I invented?
a device that dries the produce in 24 hours. I?
can also use it for heating in winter!”?
Here’s what we found—and how innovative startups can help transform these challenges into opportunities.?
Our Key Findings: Challenges Impacting Farmers?
1. Water Scarcity and High Costs?
Farmers repeatedly identified water scarcity as their most pressing challenge. With dwindling municipal water supplies and rising costs for water trucks, many are struggling to irrigate their crops. Outdated irrigation techniques exacerbate the problem, consuming more water than necessary, and making farming increasingly unsustainable in the region’s arid climate. Some farmers are even abandoning certain crops due to the high water demand.?
How Startups Can Help: Solutions in water management and conservation—from efficient irrigation techniques to sustainable water sourcing technologies—can significantly reduce water wastage and improve access to affordable water for farmers.?
2. High Costs of Agricultural Inputs?
The rising costs of fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides were another common issue. Many farmers are caught in a cycle of high input costs and low yields, unable to invest in better farming techniques due to financial constraints. This has left many in debt, with limited access to affordable inputs.?
How Startups Can Help: Innovations in affordable agricultural inputs—such as sustainable fertilizers or seed technologies—can help reduce these costs. Startups can also explore ways to improve access to financial resources, such as alternative financing models tailored to farmers.?
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3. Market Access and Pricing Issues?
Even when farmers successfully grow their crops, they face significant barriers in accessing markets. Middlemen often dictate prices, leaving farmers with minimal profits, while transportation and infrastructure issues further reduce their ability to sell directly to buyers. Dairy producers, in particular, struggle with surplus milk that often goes to waste due to the lack of refrigeration and market access.?
How Startups Can Help: Startups focused on market connectivity and supply chain solutions can help farmers bypass middlemen and access better markets. Digital platforms that link farmers directly with buyers or logistics innovations to streamline delivery processes could help improve transparency in pricing and profitability.?
4. Livestock Diseases and Veterinary Care?
Livestock farmers reported frequent disease outbreaks, compounded by a lack of timely and affordable veterinary services. Diseases like foot-and-mouth disease devastate herds, with farmers losing significant portions of their livestock due to inadequate veterinary support.?
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How Startups Can Help: Animal health innovations, including affordable and accessible veterinary services, disease prevention technologies, or health monitoring systems, could help small-scale livestock farmers manage these issues more effectively.?
5. Labor Costs and Availability?
Farmers noted the high cost of labor and the difficulty in finding skilled workers. Labor shortages were particularly acute for crops like okra, olives, and tomatoes, which require more attention and skill.?
How Startups Can Help: By developing tools that optimize labor use—such as affordable mechanization solutions or technologies that reduce the physical demands of farming—startups can help farmers manage labor more efficiently and reduce costs.?
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The Opportunity: Join the 20D4C Project?
Through the 20 Dunum for Change (20D4C) project—led by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) with partners like HSI, Jordan River Foundation (JRF), and Save the Children Jordan (SCJ)—we are offering startups the opportunity to collaborate directly with farmers and herders to pilot and validate their prototypes on the ground.?
Selected startups will be awarded grants of 4000 JOD each to execute their solutions, participate in a program that includes coaching, and develop practical solutions to address the pressing challenges farmers face. The goal is to match 15 startups with farmers, fostering innovation that leads to sustainable agricultural practices, improved productivity, and increased profitability.?
Focus Areas for Startups?
We encourage startups to bring innovative solutions in the following areas:?
?Apply Now?
If you believe your startup has the potential to drive real change in the agricultural sector, we want to hear from you. This is your opportunity to collaborate with farmers, make a lasting impact, and help shape the future of farming in Jordan.?
Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/J0hwGn7k7d
Deadline to apply: November 1st, 2024.?