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Ammon News - The Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) on Tuesday signed an agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch a project to reduce water loss and enhance the efficiency of surface water usage in the Jordan Valley.

The project will be funded by the US agency at a cost of $15,340 million.

Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar said during the signing ceremony that his ministry seeks to develop and enhance water resources, reduce water loss and provide drinking and irrigation water for citizens and farmers, particularly in the Jordan Valley.

He said the ministry is committed to supporting farmers and providing them with all capabilities to maximize the national agriculture output, which positively reflects on both farmers and local communities in line with the national water strategy.

Water loss reduction projects, he pointed out, can also boost water reserves, upgrade water facilities in the Jordan Valley and maintain water and irrigation infrastructure.

JVA Secretary General Manar Mahasneh cited the Fixed Amount Reimbursement Agreement (FARA6) projects pack that involves implementing a number of projects in the Jordan Valley at a cost of $14 million donated by the USAID with a JVA contribution of $1.4 million.

The total value of the FARA projects conducted by the water sector is $152 million, she noted, adding that the new projects seek to increase the amount of water by about 8 million cubic meters.

She said the projects would lessen water loss in water networks, help set up a number of irrigation projects and increase water resources capacity in some areas.

Mahasneh noted that the USAID donation also includes revising and preparing designs and tender documents, as well as refurbishing the Karama warehouse for equipment and appliances.

She pointed out the importance of the project for being one of the integrated cooperation programs signed between the Ministry of Water and Irrigation/ JVA and the USAID for five years at a cost of $34 million.