Khaberni - The Assistant Secretary-General for Agricultural Guidance at the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Bakr Al-Balawneh, confirmed that the ministry is closely monitoring the developments of the prevailing weather condition in the kingdom, amid a noticeable drop in temperatures and heavy rainfall in various provinces of the kingdom, as part of a proactive approach aimed at protecting farmers and minimizing potential losses to agricultural wealth.
Al-Balawneh said that the Agricultural Guidance sector in the ministry is in constant and direct coordination with the Meteorological Department, where, as soon as any weather warnings or alerts that may affect agricultural activities are issued, they are immediately circulated to the agricultural guidance staff in all provinces, to be communicated to the farmers as quickly as possible.
He pointed out that the delivery of guidance is done through multiple channels, including the official pages of the Directorate on social media, and "WhatsApp" groups formed by agricultural guides with farmers, ensuring direct and interactive communication, and the transfer of warnings and instructions instantaneously and accurately.
Al-Balawneh explained that the ministry has issued a package of technical guidelines for livestock breeders, including making sure of the sturdiness of the shelters and securely closing them to prevent rainwater leakage, improving water drainage systems to avoid the formation of pools and floods, and providing a dry and warm environment inside the shelters using absorbent materials, and continuous monitoring of cleaning operations.
He emphasized the importance of enhancing nutrition programs during cold periods, storing feeds in safe places, regularly monitoring the health of animals, and maintaining constant communication with veterinarians, with prepared places suitable for caring for newborns and mothers during weather depressions.
He called on beekeepers to securely close the hives and seal the cracks, narrow the entrances to reduce the entry of cold air, avoid opening the hives or moving them during weather depressions except for utmost necessity and at appropriate times, in addition to providing sufficient amounts of food for the bees, merging weak colonies, monitoring the health status of the hives before and after depressions, and contacting veterinary specialists when needed.
Al-Balawneh stressed the importance of checking the metal structures of plastic houses and supporting them, securing their covers, cleaning water drainage channels, checking heating, ventilation, energy, and water systems, and adjusting irrigation and fertilization programs to align with weather changes.
He also called for precautionary measures in areas prone to snow accumulation or hail, through using more sturdy structures, protecting roofs, providing energy alternatives, and closing the plastic houses early to maintain appropriate indoor temperatures.
Al-Balawneh noted that the guidance also included farmers of open-field crops and fruit trees, recommending the construction of windbreaks and channels to collect flood waters, cleaning culverts and drainage tunnels, protecting irrigation systems and energy sources, and using calcium and sulfate-enhanced fertilizers to enhance the plants' ability to resist cold and freezing.
Al-Balawneh confirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to closely follow the weather situation, urging farmers to adhere to the issued guidelines, follow weather bulletins and official instructions, and communicate with agricultural guides in their areas, contributing to reducing damages and maintaining the sustainability of agricultural production in the kingdom.
