The feed sector is considered one of the essential pillars for the sustainability of the livestock sector in Jordan and a central element in the food security system and local agricultural economy. However, this sector faces accumulated challenges, primarily the near-complete dependence on the import of feeds and feed grains amidst climate changes and the rising costs of production and transportation globally, alongside limited local production capacity.
Through the legislative and regulatory framework of this sector, Agricultural Law No. (13) of 2015 and its amendments clearly regulated the feed sector, defining feed material as "any raw material without mixing used in animal feeding whether from plant or animal source", while feed additives are defined as "mineral salts, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, yeasts, organic acids, minerals, anticoccidials, and substances that are included in feeding animals and aquatic life whether in feed or drinking water or given directly, which helps in improving production". The manufactured feed is defined as "any mixture of raw feed and feed additives".
Consequently, based on Article 4 and Article 8 of the law, instructions for the registration of raw feed materials of animal origin, manufactured feed, and feed additives No. 10 of 2016, and instructions for the analysis of raw feed materials, manufactured feed, and feed additives and their laboratory testing No. 2 of 20218 were issued, in addition to instructions for the licensing of imported feed materials No. 1 for the year 2016.
The reality of local feed production shows that despite the widespread cultivation across most of the provinces of the kingdom, notably Al Mafraq, Zarqa, Irbid, Al Karak that local production remains limited and does not meet the increasing demand, depending on the availability of agricultural lands, rainfall, and water sources. In rainfed areas, the cultivation of feed barley prevails, while green feeds like alfalfa and feed corn are concentrated in irrigated areas such as Al Azraq, Al Dlail, Al Ghor, parts of Irbid, and Al Mafraq. Crop residues, such as straw from grain residues and corn silage, contribute to animal feeding, although their utilization is limited due to weak processing and limited modern technologies to enhance their nutritional value.
According to the environmental characteristics of Jordan and official information, Jordan almost completely depends on importing feed grains, including the barley crop which has an annual consumption of about (1.1) million tons, while local production does not exceed (25) thousand tons only, which equals approximately (2%) of the consumption. The wheat crop has an annual consumption of about (975) thousand tons while local production only covers (3%) of the consumption, and (1.15-1.25) million tons are imported annually to meet food needs, with a portion of wheat used as feed in some seasons. While there is a limited commercial production of feed corn with an annual consumption of about (740) thousand tons, which is entirely imported and used in poultry and cattle feeds. Generally, local feed grain production does not cover more than 5% of the market needs.
One of the major challenges facing this sector is water scarcity and climate change as feed crops are considered high consumers of water, and the high dependence on global markets makes the local market vulnerable to price fluctuations, shipping costs, and geopolitical disturbances, aside from poor infrastructure for storage, inspection, sterilization, and feed conversion to add value to agricultural residues, and the varying quality of products, and the decline of natural pastures and limited scientific research specialized in developing drought-resistant feed varieties.
Despite the challenges facing the feed sector in Jordan, there are still realistic opportunities to enhance sustainability and achieve a higher level of self-sufficiency, through adopting an integrated phased approach that considers water resources and economic and environmental considerations. In the short term, it is possible to enhance the management of the strategic stock and organize import operations with the development of storage facilities and inspection centers, ensuring the quality control of local and imported feeds and reducing waste. In the medium term, it is possible to expand the cultivation of feed crops that are less consumers of water and drought-resistant, such as improved feed barley, and invest in technologies for converting agricultural residues into processed feeds with higher nutritional and economic value, such as silage, accompanied by enhancing extension programs and training on smart nutrition and improving feed use efficiency. On the long term, it is possible to invest in scientific research to develop local feed varieties resistant to drought, and establish a national integrated value chain for the feed sector alongside aligning water and food policies within a unified national framework that supports food security.
In conclusion
Achieving complete self-sufficiency in feeds in Jordan is not an impossible goal and cannot be achieved in the short term, but it is a path that can gradually improve when dealt with a strategic vision and requires effective coordination of the governmental sector, the private sector, support for farmers, enhancing scientific research, alongside adopting smart solutions, and employing the green economy in utilizing available resources, minimizing agricultural waste, and enhancing the efficiency of feed production chains for long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
