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Awassi Dairy Sheep Farm, Jordan

Since the signing of the Peace Treaty in 1994, MASHAV has endeavored to initiate and enhance cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on all levels and in all fields. In recognition of the unique relationship existing between Israel and Jordan, and of the mutual benefit to be accrued by cooperation, Jordan is a priority country for MASHAV and efforts are made to develop programs wherever possible. While cooperation has grown considerably over the past six years, MASHAV believes that there is potential for a far broader range of cooperation and thus is actively seeking Jordanian partners for further joint activities.

Present project activity includes the following:

* In 2000, Israel built and fully equipped a state-of-the art Intensive Care Unit in the Red Crescent Hospital in Amman, which serves the poorest population of the capital. The project included full training of all ICU staff in a series of on-site training courses.

* In cooperation with Jordan, MASHAV operates a demonstration farm in the Karak region for intensive sheep’s milk production and processing, introducing the advanced “Awassi” sheep to the country which provide approximately four times the milk yields of indigenous sheep. The project includes over 400 sheep, a milking parlor and state-of-the-art mini dairy for the production of yoghurts and cheeses. In addition, the project's sheep have been used to upgrade local flocks through breeding activities.

* MASHAV has a beekeeping demonstration and research project in Irbid, Jordan. Israel sponsors an ongoing program of cross border cooperation, training and transfer of agricultural technology between Kibbutz Yotvata and farmers in the regions of Rahma and Umm-Mutlak.  

* MASHAV sponsors numerous cooperative projects in pest control and environmental issues in areas close to the Israeli-Jordanian border.