APN | Gawr as-Safi

1 February 2024

Holding her cup of coffee, the farmer welcomes APN volunteers as they gather to plant 200 citrus trees on her land. She shares that she almost gave up on cultivating her land this year, having used her agricultural savings to cover university fees for her children. Years ago, she harbored a dream of transforming the land from traditional agriculture to a thriving orchard. While overseeing the progress of the work and tree planting, she smiles, expressing her joy that the orchard's trees are finally citrus, a long-awaited moment. Emphasizing her refusal to sell the land, she notes that the compensation offered wouldn't match the economic returns achievable through its cultivation.

With a memorable image of her family in the orchard, we bid farewell to her. During our departure, she excitedly shared numerous ideas about connecting her upcoming harvest to a food processing initiative. This optimistic outlook defies the challenging reality of agricultural labor in the region. Women in the southern Jordan Valley constitute an often overlooked workforce in the agricultural sector. Their daily toil is met with meager wages, strenuous working conditions, and a lack of social security, insurance, and healthcare. This hardship is compounded by social responsibilities, particularly for mothers seeking a secure environment for their children. The absence of affordable nurseries and a convenient transportation network further complicates their daily commute.