The Jordan Valley is the prime irrigated agricultural area in Jordan which suffers shortage of water putting severe limitation on water allocation to farmers. To alleviate the problem, deficit irrigation was proposed for some vegetables such as bell pepper. Two field experiments in two growing seasons were conducted using bell pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.) to assess the effect of deficit irrigation on yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and water productivity (WP). The treatments were three irrigation levels: 100% (T1), 80% (T2), and 60% (T3) of the calculated crop evapotranspiration (ETc) using class A pan method. A cost–benefit analysis was carried out to determine the best economically suitable season for crop growth. The yields in both seasons were higher under T1, but there was no difference in WUE and WP between T1 and T2. The yield, WUE, and WP for T3 were significantly lower than for T1 and T2. Therefore, it is recommended to irrigate at 80% of ET. The best results were obtained for the total gross margin and the net present value in the winter season. Using deficit irrigation reduces water usage without significant yield loss, meanwhile maintaining relatively high WUE and supporting the sustainability of agriculture in the Jordan Valley.

Jordan is one of the four driest countries in the world. Due to rapid population growth, water demand distinctly exceeds supply. The tariff to cover operations and maintenance (OM) and depreciation costs will be JD 0.066 per cubic meter (1 JD = 1.41 US$) if billing and collection efficiencies were able to reach 100 percent. The current charges of irrigation water in the Jordan Valley are JD 0.011/M³.This study aims at evaluating the effect of lifting the irrigation water subsidy for bananas in the Jordan Valley on the producers’ income, the consumers’ expenditure, the government’s budget, and Jordanian society. The total area planted with banana trees in 2017 was 1533 ha producing about 73.9 thousand tons of bananas. Previous studies have focused on evaluating the effect of input subsidies on prices and quantities, while in this study we evaluate the monetary effect on lifting these subsidies. A partial market equilibrium model, which evaluates the consumer surplus and producer surplus, was used to analyze the welfare effect of lifting the subsidies for irrigation water for the banana farms in Jordan. All the relevant players in the irrigated banana sector in Jordan were analyzed in this study including: producers, consumers, taxpayers, and society. Welfare economic instruments such as consumer surplus, producer surplus, and economic efficiency have been applied in the analysis. The government revenue will increase during the selected years by JD 3.1 million, JD 4.5 million and JD 3.8 million respectively. The dead weight loss during the three years will be JD 23.2 thousand, JD 44.3 thousand and JD 38.6 thousand respectively.

The study investigates the economic feasibility and farmer acceptance of utilizing treated wastewater (TWW) for agricultural irrigation, particularly in the Northern Jordan Valley. Despite its potential to mitigate water scarcity, concerns persist regarding its impact on soil health, crop yield, and land utilization, hindering widespread adoption. The research aims to measure farm profitability and farmers' willingness to embrace TWW through various blending scenarios with traditional surface water sources. The yield response function to salinity was incorporated into profit function to simulate crop profitability and water values. Results indicate that the introduction of TWW negatively affects salt-sensitive crops like citrus but positively impacts others such as date palm, olives, tomatoes, and peppers due to increased fertilizer content in irrigation water. Economic performance indicators reveal a gradual decrease in water net productivity for citrus with increasing blending ratios of TWW, with the water value decreasing accordingly. Higher percentages of treated water do not consistently lead to increased productivity, profitability, or net value added, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and understanding of economic risks associated with specific crops and water quality. To mitigate the impact of water salinity on citrus production, growers are advised to improve soil quality, periodically flush the soil with low-salinity water, and use salt-tolerant rootstocks. Regular monitoring of soil and water salinity levels is crucial for informed decision-making. While using TWW, water may offer cost savings.