Aspects of Changes in Socio-Economic Phenomena of the Jordan Valley Region from 1997 to 2020: A Case Study of Al Debab

Abstract

Objectives:This study aims to explore the socio-economic changes in Deir Alla, Jordan Valley, from the 1990s to 2020 by investigating shifts in agricultural income, resources, production techniques, the role of cooperatives, and the peasant lifestyle.

Methods:The study employs a qualitative approach using anthropological analysis tools, including participant observation, focused interviews, and open-ended interviews. The sample consisted of 51 interviews, including two focus groups.

Results:The findings reveal significant changes, including a shift from subsistence farming to market-oriented agriculture as family farming faced capitalist pressures. Farmers encountered extensive market competition under unfavorable conditions, including rising production costs, dominance of speculators and intermediaries, reliance on external labor, and the adoption of modern technologies. Many farmers became entangled in debt, forcing them to engage in trade with the Zionist entity. Small-scale farmers were particularly vulnerable, with 46% of respondents leaving agriculture due to sectoral changes. Investors increasingly left portions of their land fallow or exploited it in ways that diverged from traditional peasant practices. The role of cooperatives and farmers’ unions declined significantly. The study anticipates that small-scale farming will continue to shrink while agricultural labor will shift toward leasing-based farming.

Conclusions:The study concludes that farming families strive to survive by minimizing production costs, passing down agricultural traditions, and preserving farming as a way of life. However, laws and agreements governing land, water, and production resources have largely neglected peasant production and the rural sector, exacerbating challenges for small-scale farmers.