PROJECT BRIEF
1. IDENTIFIERS:
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT NAME:
PO 69847
Jordan: Conservation of Medicinal and
Herbal Plants
5 years
World Bank
To be determined
Jordan
Jordan ratified CBD in 1992
Biodiversity
OPl, OP13
DURATION:
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:
EXECUTING AGENCY:
REQUESTING COUNTRY OR COUNTRIES
ELIGIBILITY:
GEF FOCAL AREA
GEF PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK:
2. SUMMARY:
The global environmental objective is to improve conservation and sustainable use of
medicinal and herbal plants of global importance at the national and the local levels for the
selected areas through achieving the following objectives over and above the Baseline
Scenario: (i) establishing a framework for medicinal and herbal plant biodiversity conservation
and management, (ii) strengthening institutions and implementing a coordination program, (iii)
promoting in situ conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants in 3 pilot sites, and (iv)
designing and implementing income generation activities. GEF will fund the incremental costs
of the first three components. The GEF support is justified by the global significance of M/H
plants in Jordan the existing threats to ecosystem integrity and species survival and the
commitment of the government and NGOs to implement the project. The GEF-support will
enable the project to target globally valued and threatened M/H plants and to a limited extent
address international water conservation issues, reduce the threat of desertification and increase
carbon sequestration The GEF conservation alternative will build on the baseline scenario of
‘without project intervention’, by strengthening conservation management in the pilot sites.
The GEF support would enable key information to be gathered on the socio-economic and
biological data of in-situ M/H plants harvested, their status and their habitats. This information
can be used to derive appropriate management practices within the pilot sites. The GEF
alternative would: (a) monitor and evaluate the status of key rare/threatened medicinal and
herbal plants, (b) actively link the development of guidelines for conserving M/H hotspots and
the sustainable management and harvesting of M/H plants with community needs and
commercial demands, (c) integrate pastoral farming with the sustainable use of rangelands to
reduce the threat of wind and water erosion and with the long-term aim of increasing the
presence of M/H plants, (d) capture traditional knowledge and expand knowledge of the botany
of M/H plants and their use in Jordan, (e) support the development of training programs in
scientific institutes and for farmers that focus on sustainable management and harvesting
techniques, and (f) promote public awareness on a national scale through financing formal and
informal education and public awareness initiatives in all aspects of M/H plant conservation.
3. COSTS AND FINANCING (MILLION US$):
Project:
5.00
GEF
PDF:
0.35
Subtotal GEF:
5.35
IA:
Co-financing:
Other International:
5.00
Government of Jordan:
2.50
Private
Subtotal Co-Financing:
7.50
Total Project Cost:
US$12.85
1
4. ASSOCIATED FINANCING (MILLION US$)
5. OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT ENDORSEMENT:
Name: Dr. Kamal Khdier
Title: Director, Water, Environment and
Organization: Ministry of Planning
Tourism Directorate
P.O Box 555
Date: June 2002
Amman, Jordan
6. IA CONTACT:
Laurent Msellati
Tel. 202-473-4129
Fax: 202-473-1981 / 1609/ 1374
Internet: Lmsellati@worldbank.org
2
A. Project Development Objective
1. Project development objective: (see Annex 1)
The Development Objective of the proposed project is to improve the livelihood and health of rural
communities through the conservation, management, and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal (M/H)
plants for human and livestock needs in specific areas of Jordan while ensuring effective in-situ
protection of threatened habitats and ecosystems.
Project Global Objectives: (see Annex 1)
The global environmental objective is the improved conservation and sustainable use of medicinal and
herbal plants (several of which are rare and endemic, and thus of global importance) at the national and
the local levels for the selected areas through achieving the following objectives over and above the
Baseline Scenario: (i) establishing a framework for medicinal and herbal plant biodiversity conservation
and management, (ii) strengthening institutions and implementing a coordination program, (iii) promoting
in-situ conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants in 3 pilot sites, and (iv) designing and
implementing a communication strategy.
2. Key performance indicators: (see Annex 1)
The key performance indicators directly linked to the above development objectives are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Capacity established to sustainably manage the wild genetic resource base of M/H plants.
Threat to M/H species are diminished and key biodiversity areas are identified and protected.
A database, gene pool and monitoring system are established and operational.
Active participation of communities in conservation, management, and income generating programs is
established.
5. Public awareness, including environmental education of medicinal and herbal plants improved.
B. Strategic Context
1. Sector-related Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) goal supported by the project: (see Annex I)
Document number: 19890-JO Date of latest CAS discussion: November 12, 1999
1a. Global Operational Strategy/Program Objective addressed by the project
The World Bank Country Assistance Strategy CAS of Jordan emphasizes a development agenda based on
the core themes of (i) accelerating economic growth, emphasizing higher level of private investment,
export development and tourism; (ii) promoting human development; (iii) undertaking public sector
reforms; and (iv) improving water resource management and environmental protection. The proposed
project is fully consistent with the CAS as it would support theme (iv) through micro-catchment
initiatives, more effective wastewater use and the protection of endangered species and fragile ecosystems. It would also contribute to the other themes with varying degrees through the promotion of
sustainable use and management of medicinal and herbal plants and their further processing. Specific
project objectives and issues that support the CAS goals are (a) contribution to social and rural
development through capacity building; (b) poverty reduction through income generating activities and
better management of high demand natural resources; and (c) involvement of the private sector.
The project also covers many goals highlighted in the World Bank Middle East and North Africa Region
Strategy Paper. The target for regional development is to focus on five areas namely: 1. Public sector
efficiency; 2. Private sector development; 3. Education; 4. Water; and 5. Gender. The M/H project
follows the MNA strategy in most if not all aspects. In Jordan, women are intimately involved in the
collection and use of medicinal and herbal (M/H) plants. One aim of the project is to train women (and
other disadvantaged people) in the conservation and sustainable management of M/H plants, both in-situ
and ex-situ, and to use these plants to manufacture products that will bring them greater benefit. The
public sector, in particular NCARTIT of the MOA, will assist the women and other community groups as
well as the private sector in demonstrating various techniques, including water harvesting and waste water
use, to improve the management and use of M/H plants. Again, part of the project covers formal and
informal environmental education, especially relating to M/H plants, the establishment of a database and
gene pool for such plants and micro-credit to encourage cottage industries base on these sustainable
resources.
The proposed project also supports MNA Rural Development Strategy through (i) promoting sustainable
use of natural resources, and (ii) attenuating vulnerability of rural populations.
1.(b) GEF Global Operational Strategy/Program Objective Addressed by the Project
Jordan signed the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. Thus, the objectives of this project are in
line with the policy of GOJ and are fully consistent with the GEF Operational Program 1 on “Arid and
Semi-Arid Zone Ecosystems.” Whereas the main thrust of the project is biodiversity conservation, the
project has vital components and cross links to land degradation and desertification. In addition the
project is consistent with the GEF Operational Strategy for Biodiversity, as well as Article 8 (j) of the
Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) regarding the protection and conservation of medicinal and
herbal plants, capacity building and protection of indigenous knowledge. Also, the project’s objectives are
consistent with the GEF Operational Program 13 “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological
Diversity Important to Agriculture.” This project will: compile a data base of all medicinal and herbal
plants in Jordan; protect areas of endangered and/or useful M/H plants; operate a gene pool for all
indigenous M/H plants; demonstrate the sustainable use of the most promising species; encourage the
growing of these species, where possible; and undertake applied research into new uses of all M/H plants
in Jordan. These objectives are elaborated below.
Global Importance.
The flora of Jordan is rich in medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as herbs and spices, mainly the
Umbelliferae, Labiatae and Compositae. Many of them grow in sub-serial or successional communities in
various states of ecological development or degradation, and are adapted to arid or semi-arid conditions.
Medicinal plants in Jordan are distributed all over the country from the eastern desert to the western
highlands and from the semi-arid north to the extremely arid south. The importance of these plants as a
source of preventive and/or curative health value has been recognized by local people since time
immemorial. A few studies related to the identification of endemic, rare and endangered flora have been
carried out in Jordan. An estimated 100 species of endemic plants comprising about 2.5 % of the total
flora are recognized. A total of 485 species of medicinal plants, which belong to 330 genera and 99
families, is reported from Jordan (Oran and Al-Eisawi, 1994). The identified medicinal plants are herbs,
shrubs and trees. The endemic species include Iris petrana, Cousinia dayi, Plantago maris-mortui,
Crucianella transjordanica, Centaurea procurrens, Scrophularia nabataerum, Tamarix tetragyn, and T.
palaestina. A preliminary survey by the Royal Society of Conservation of Nature in the Wadi Mujib
Reserve identified the presence of rare species including Adiantum capillus-veneris, Sternbergia clusiana,
Pistacia atlantica, Caralluma aaronis, Pergularia tomentosa, Equisetum ramosissimum, Crocus
moabiticus, Micromeria sinaica (endemic; also on IUCN list), Teucrium leucocladum, Ajuga
chamoepytis, A. iva, Lavandula pubescens, and Withania somnifera (new to the area). Endemic species in
the Mujib reserve include Withania obtusfolia, Micromeria sinaica, and Crocus moabiticus.
The major difficulties in assessing the importance of medicinal, herbal and aromatic plants and
developing a strategy for their conservation and sustainable use are: insufficient knowledge concerning
the species that are used, their detailed distribution, how they are collected or harvested, the species in
cultivation (by location), the quantities involved in collection, consumption, and the quality and quantity
of species traded, etc. Trade statistics are notoriously unreliable as is the identity of material traded under
such names as oregano; this covers plants belonging to more than one genus and several species. Some
2
countries e.g. Spain have produced acceptable assessments of the uses and trade in medicinal and
aromatic plants, while important surveys for other Mediterranean countries have been prepared under the
auspices of the MEDUSA organization1 as part of data gathering regarding the potential for sustainable
use of wild species of the region. However, for most parts of the Mediterranean, detailed information is
lacking and an overall survey for the region would be a significant contribution towards developing a
strategy for this important group of plants. One aim of the project is to establish a database of all M/H
plants and to undertake an oral survey of the past and present uses, including the use for and by
domesticated animals.
Jordan’s flora is considered rich and diverse due to its location at the junction of three continents, Europe,
Asia and Africa. Al-Eisawi (1985) indicated the presence of four bio-geographical regions and thirteen
vegetation types. Since time immemorial, medicinal and herbal plants have played important roles
including furnishing ecological, genetic, social, cultural, economic, and scientific values (Al-Khalil, 1995;
Al-Eisawi and Takruri, 1989). In addition to enhancing health care and rural well being, many M/H plants
contribute to reducing soil and water loss as they cover about 20% of the rangeland and forest areas m
Jordan. They generate income, particularly for the resource-poor people by providing jobs for women
who undertake about half the gathering, processing and marketing of medicinal/herbal plant material. The
project will enhance these roles in line with the MNA strategy.
The sector is undergoing major changes. The domestic demand for M/H plants and their extracts
increasing and is satisfied through over-harvesting of wild plants, a little cultivation, or by imports, which
amount to about US$ 6 million per year, with exports about US$ 0.4 million annually. The project intends
to promote the sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants, through managing the wild plants and by
increasing, where possible, the ex-situ cultivation of the high-demand species.
2. Main Sector Issues and Government Strategy:
In June 1998, the General Corporation for Environmental Protection (GCEP), in collaboration with the
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), prepared the Jordan Country Biodiversity Study. One of the long-term objectives of this study is
to ensure the protection and conservation of the broadest possible range of global biodiversity and its
rational use. The proposed project is consistent with the recommendation of the 1998 National
Biodiversity Study to carry out extensive work to protect Jordan’s rich diversity of medicinal and herbal
plants. The commercialization of medicinal and herbal plants is also recognized as a key component of
GOJ’s poverty alleviation and rural development objectives. The project is consistent with the 1996
National Environment Action Plan’s (NEAP) recommendation to improve measures to combat Jordan’s
loss of its natural heritage embodied in medicinal and herbal plants.
Environmental law No. 12, article No. 21, of 1995 states that “Regulations shall determine the
specifications and conditions that must be found in any natural reserve for wild and marine life or national
parks, and the preservation and environmental protection thereof”. The Royal Society for the
Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is mandated to establish and manage wildlife reserves in Jordan under
the supervision of the GCEP. The 1996 Charter of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) recognizes the
importance of conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants to meet agricultural diversification
objectives and enhance the efficiency of land and water use. Within MOA, the National Center for
Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer (NCARTT) is mandated to conserve medicinal and
herbal plant genetic resources, identify cultivation practices, and, where appropriate, seek the cropping of
M/H species with commercial value.
1
MEDUSA is an acronym for the ‘Identification, Conservation and Use of Wild Plants in the Mediterranean Region.’ It was
formerly established in June 1996 by CIHEAM (Centre International des Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Mediterraneennes) and
its constituent organ MAICh (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania). The Network is financially supported partly by the
Directorate General 1 of the E. U. and partly by CIHEAM.
3
At present, there is little capacity to implement the project’s development objective and no clear
mechanism to facilitate effective collaboration and cooperation between GCEP, MOA, MOH, RSCN,
other ministries and agencies, the private sector, NGOs, and the users regarding the long-term
conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants in a manner that would
fulfill the objectives identified above. Hence, the strong emphasis in the project is on capacity building.
Root Causes of Biodiversity Loss and Barriers Against Sustainable Use.
Overgrazing, arable agricultural expansion, urbanization, and industrialization have resulted in serious
threats to M/H species natural habitats. For example, the habitat of the wild saffron Crocus hermenous,
which was collected only from a restricted area in Amman, has been replaced by houses, (Al-Eisawi,
1998). A 1998 GCEP study shows that Oryganum syriacum, which was distributed throughout the
country, is now confined to a small area east of Jerash mainly because of expanded fruit tree plantations.
Other species are becoming rare (Daucus jordanicum) or endangered (Capparis decidua). Genetic loss is
occurring through the continuous and accelerated over-harvesting of M/H plants in their diminishing
natural habitats. This has resulted in increasing land degradation in several areas. Poor agricultural
practices coupled with increasing fragmentation of land holdings2 have resulted in loss of valuable
biodiversity. Many medicinal and herbal plants are endangered and some are threatened with extinction.
In particular, there is need to:




identify threatened M/H species of global significance for cultivation trials and in collaboration with
farmers identify sustainable cultivation practices, both rainfed, and irrigation;
identify sustainable harvesting guidelines for those M/H species in protected areas that do not lend
themselves to cultivation;
establish a mechanism for effective collaboration within and between relevant agencies as well as the
public and private sector, and NGOs to increase awareness about M/H plants, their importance to the
economy of Jordan and the need to protect these valuable indigenous assets; and
identify specific health and drug policies that guarantee safety and efficacy and acknowledge the
contribution of plant-based medicines ant their traditional use in the primary health care program.
3. Sector Issues to be Addressed by the Project and Strategic Choices:
During project preparation, the PDF-Block B Grant provided an opportunity to obtain preliminary
baseline data to: (a) establish a medicinal and herbal plant inventory; (b) estimate the demand and supply
of medicinal and herbal plants used for human and livestock healthcare and other needs; (c) compile a
database of M/H plants; and (d) list medicinal and herbal species suitable for possible ex-situ cultivation.
The information contained in these documents was of considerable help when formulating the sector
issues and designing some of the project components.
Sector issues include:
a).




Sustainable community-based conservation strategy at the national level:
introducing community based management plans for the conservation and use of M/H plants;
ensuring that management schemes respond to the plants’ ecological needs and the people’s wishes;
recognizing and empowering the role of women in resource use and management;
securing community rights over natural resources.
b). Conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal/herbal plants at the local level:
 countering inadequate protection and/or management of habitats where medicinal and herbal plants
species are found in the wild, (especially overgrazing by sheep and goats and vegetation clearance
resulting from settlement construction and arable agriculture);
2
The number of land holdings increased from about 400,000 parcels in 1975 to about 650,000 currently with a concomitant
reduction in average parcel size from 30.8 dunums (tenth of a hectare) to 24.1 dunums in recent years.
4



offering alternatives to over-harvesting and unsustainable harvesting methods of wild M/H plants by
local communities and professional collectors for medicinal and culinary needs as well as the increase
in national and international trade as a result of booming demand for plant-based medicines;
ensuring farmers’ and nomads’ participation in conservation programs as a key element in
community-based conservation and management strategies;
promoting ex-situ cultivation and in-situ enrichment planting of M/H plants.
c). Community awareness and participation at the local level:
 developing education/awareness programs that link the value of sustainable resource management to
poverty reduction and a better quality of life;
 confronting the lack of comprehensive market/economic valuation and market intelligence.
d).



Legislation:
developing guidelines and proposing legislation for quality control and to regulate trade;
promoting intellectual property rights for M/H plant information;
providing a scientific basis to ensure the proper identity and purity of marketed M/H products.
The project will enhance Government strategy by: (i) identifying cultivation practices for high-demand
M/H plants used for human and livestock healthcare and other needs; and (ii) promoting sustainable
management systems in selected areas, (Section C2 below), which addresses collection practices, grazing
agreements, etc.
The project will facilitate a process of closer collaboration between relevant institutions and organizations
such as MOA, especially the Veterinary Department, and MOH to enhance the conservation, management
and sustainable use of affordable phytomedicines. The important role that M/H plants and traditional
knowledge play in healthcare and culinary practices offers an opportunity to link two key poverty-related
indicators: environment and health. The project will support efforts to document and effectively utilize
M/H plant’s traditional health care and food preparation knowledge for the benefit of all Jordanians. Such
actions offer opportunities for private sector investment as well as developing a national program to
conserve and enhance natural resources and cultural heritage. These actions will support community
based development and implement the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) at community, local
and national government levels. In addition, they will strengthen the actions of the community driven
development (CDD) and PRSP country-driven programs.
The project will work in 3 different geographic areas covering various vegetation types (see Section C2).
This could result in best practices to protect and manage medicinal and herbal plants, which could be
replicated to other sites in Jordan and elsewhere in the Middle East Region.
C. Project Description Summary
1. Project components (see Annex 1):
The proposed project components will comprise activities at the national level and at the site-specific
level. The key development issues will be addressed in the project components: (1) the limited
institutional capacity; (2) the need for a sound policy and action to conserve and use medicinal and herbal
plants; (3) the economic costs and benefits and safety issues for M/H plants and products and; (4) the
necessity to promote a strategy to expand public awareness in all aspects of M/H plant conservation and
use and expand the program outside the project areas.
The various activities to be carried out under these components are outlined in Annex 4 and will be
detailed in the Project Brief. GEF will fund the incremental costs of the first three components.
Component four is to be funded mainly by GOJ, other donors, and the private sector.
5
Component 1. Institutional Strengthening.
This component focuses on the strengthening of the institutional and technical capacity of key players.
Five sub-components are included under Component 1 as follows:
(i). Developing and providing an organizational mechanism for project implementation. A Project
Management Unit (PMU) will be established to implement the project. Apart from administration, finance
and procurement, the PMU will be charged with monitoring and evaluating the various components and
sub-components. This will include a training program to be developed.
(ii). Developing crucial inter-sector links (MOA, MOH, GCEP, NGOs, pharmaceutical industry,
consumers, producers) and regulatory instruments. The institutional arrangements will be agreed between
the concerned ministries (MOA, MOH, MOP), the government bodies (GCEP and Govemorates) and
representatives of producers, consumers and private industry. This may be divided into Technical and
Institutional committees covering topics, such as strengthening national policy and regulatory capacity to
ensure the smooth running of the project and to facilitate the conservation of M/H plants and their
sustainable expansion and use.
(iii). Developing intellectual property rights (IPR) policy and guidelines for indigenous knowledge and
use of M/H plants for medical and other purposes by humans and farm animals. A committee will
formulate the policy and guidelines. Part of such a committee’s task would be to record oral history of
past and present use of M/H plants.
(iv). Establishing standards, safety and efficacy testing, etc. for M/H plants and products. The Bureau of
Standards will be involved in this effort to formulate standards for M/H plant products, work out testing
methodologies with the pharmaceutical and food industries, agree on safe dosages and award seals of
approval for products complying with the standards, etc.
(v). Establishing a national medicinal plants database and plant gene bank that will provide an inventory
of Jordan’s medicinal and herbal plant species, distribution, status (common — rare) and herbarium
collection. The gene bank will be linked to the global field crop gene bank. This data base and gene bank
will act as a store of rare and endangered species and form the basis for propagating such species as well
as a source for expanding the commercial production of M/H plants.
Component 2. Pilot-Sites Conservation.
As part of the PDF-B preparation process, various studies were undertaken relating to M/H plants,
namely: an inventory; cultivation practices; a database; a socio-economic survey; and an institutional
capacity assessment. All these surveys were used when formulating the project and are available as
working papers. During the project, these baseline surveys will act as reference points when judging the
project’s progress. Similar surveys will be undertaken as part of the monitoring and evaluation process
and they will be part of the PMUs function. This component used information from the above surveys to
formulate two sub-components covering (i) the in-situ conservation and use of M/H plants and (ii) the exsitu pilot cultivation of selected M/H plants to relieve in-situ pressure. These are summarized below.
(i) In-situ conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants. During the survey of M/H plants, ten areas
were highlighted as potential conservation sites. Initially, it was felt that the project could only handle
three areas, based on the institutional capability and available funds, (see Section D 1). The three pilot
areas for in-situ conservation are: Wadi Mujib adjacent to the Dead Sea; Madaba covering the central
upper slopes of the Rift Valley; and Northern Badia in the Saharo-Arabian bio-geographical zone, close to
the border with Syria. These areas cover important sites of M/H plants: other areas can be incorporated
into M/H conservation in later periods, based on the experiences gained from these pilot initiatives.

The Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve is a 215 sq. km reserve, adjacent to the Dead Sea, in the centralwest region of Jordan. While the reserve is Dept. of Forestry (DOF) land, the DOF has delegated its
6
management to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). The rainfall in this
reserve ranges from 250 to 350 mm and is a water-stressed and eroded area. Four bio-geographical
regions can be found in the Mujib Reserve, namely Irano-turranian, Sudanian, and Transitional
Mediterranean. Out of the thirteen vegetation types existing in Jordan, four are present in the
reserve containing 396 identified flora and fauna species. These vegetation types are: Non-forest
Mediterranean Steppe, Steppe, Wadi Systems, and Water. A vegetation survey, including medicinal
plants, was undertaken by the RSCN. Communities inside and outside the reserve graze sheep and
goats. Grazing areas and grazing patterns within the reserve were agreed upon by the shepherds and
the RSCN and have been followed except during drought. This working relationship can be used as
a basis for the identification and conservation of M/H plants and to gather information from
shepherds and their families as to the traditional uses of these plants. Such information can be used
to formulate management plans for the sustainable use of these resources. Because of the high
water stress levels and the incidence of severe erosion, the management plans will incorporate
water conservation measures such as micro-catchment and erosion control initiatives including the
planting of local M/H shrubs and trees. Individual areas can and should be used for demonstration
purposes as well.

The Central Upper Slopes Rift Valley/Madaba. The National Center for Agricultural Research and
Technical Transfer (NCARTT) started work in the field of M/H plants two years ago in the Madaba
area. Field trials for thyme, cumin, chamomile and other high-demand medicinal, spice and
essential oil species have been planted with the objective of identifying sustainable cultivation
practices under rainfed condition. Such areas and information will be used as part of the ex-situ sub
component. Within this rift valley area, some in-situ ‘Hotspot” sites for the conservation and
management of M/H plants have been identified and others will be investigated. The annual rainfall
ranges from 300 to 500 mm and, therefore, the area contains different classes of flora (and fauna)
compared to Wadi Mujib and Northern Badia. Managing the M/H plants in this area may be
somewhat different than in the other two sites because of the greater biomass production and thus, a
larger carrying capacity for livestock. Again, demonstration plots will be established to show
improved management techniques to local farmers and communities in similar agro-ecological
zones.

Northern Badia. This is a highly water-stressed Hammada desert area of Northern Badia (Safawi
and Azraq). It belongs to the Saharo-Arabian bio-geographical zone and has an annual precipitation
ranging from 50 to 250 mm. All the plants recorded in this area are desert species that can
withstand drought and high temperatures. It is inhabited by Bedouin families that use the area for
grazing. Safawi Bedouins gather medicinal and herbal plants as they graze their livestock. A few
people use some of the area’s shallow wadis for agriculture. The use of medicinal plants for curing
certain diseases is very common. These include such plants as Achillea falcata, Matricaria aurea,
Thymus bovei, Paronychia argentea, Teucrium polium and Salvia tripola. Medicinal and herbal
plants are collected during spring and used through the year. Home gardens are common among the
inhabitants of Azraq city where women cultivate, gather and store medicinal and herbal plants for
household use. Thus, this area could also be used as a site for ex-situ production. Only 40% of
medicinal and herbal plants identified in the PDF-B Inventory of Medicinal and Herbal Plants are
frequently used. Various medicinal and herbal plants (e.g. Rheum palaestinum, Foeniculum
vulgare, Cyclamen persicum, Pergularia tomentosa, Salvia tripola) were reported either as extinct
or as rare, especially in Azraq, but as mentioned above Salvia tripola is used as a medicine by the
local people. Hence the need to conserve and multiply such species as this. It is proposed that this
in-situ conservation area will be managed by the Badia Research and Development Program
(BRDP).
Site community management plans will be developed and implemented to enhance the sustainable
use of medicinal and herbal plants in all three areas. This component could include grazing
agreements with the local community, water-catchment and harvesting measures, enrichment
planting, contour planting with shrubs to reduce erosion and planting at right angles to the
prevailing wind with M/H shrubs and trees (including nitrogen fixing perennials) to improve the
micro-climate, soil fertility and provide nutritious feed for the animals and preparing guidelines for
7
sustainable harvesting. In addition, income-generating activities will be promoted based on local
resources and mitigation measures to relieve population pressures in the project sites will be
pursued. As it is proposed that the three sites will be under different agencies, there should be a
healthy competition to out-perform one another. However, at the same time there should be
cooperation and a constant flow of information and ideas between the agencies. Part of the task for
each agency should include: (a) preparation and implementation of site management plans,
including development and implementation of appropriate management options and guidelines for
sustainable use of medicinal plants and their products, where warranted; (b) piloting of farmerbased cultivation trials for a selected number of threatened and indigenous medicinal species in
home gardens, and as boundary and buffer zones in the reserve; and (c) monitoring and evaluation.
All these sites will have demonstration components so that lessons learned can be passed on to
farmers in the area and in similar agro-climatic zones. Also, the best practices could be transferred
to some or all of the other seven sites identified for conservation in the preliminary survey.
(ii) Ex-situ cultivation trials. As mentioned above, trials in the in-situ areas could be used for ex-situ
production of M/H plants. Based on the results of the Socio-economic Survey undertaken during the
PDF-B phase, villagers/farmers could be identified for on-farm pilot propagation and cultivation trials of
medicinal plants to remove pressure on wild populations. This should include pilot cultivation trials of
threatened, rare and high demand medicinal and herbal plant used for human and livestock health care,
culinary purposes and even species used by the cosmetic industry.
As stated above, NCARTT has started trials under rainfed conditions with thyme, cumin, black cumin
chamomile and other M/H plants at their research center at Madaba. Their objective is to demonstrate
cost-effective and profitable cultivation methods for various high-demand M/H species that can be
reproduced by farmers at minimal cost, and at the same time give added-income, provide increased crop
diversification and make better use of available moisture. At present, the farmers provide some land as
demonstration plots, but NCARTT plants, cultivates and harvests the various species and takes a
percentage of the harvest. However, once the techniques have been thoroughly tested, the farmers should
be more than willing to undertake all the activities themselves. In order to promote M/H plants it is
envisaged that nurseries will be established, first by the project, but later, private nurseries will be
encouraged. Training will be given on project nurseries in the production of M/H seedlings and cuttings.
Loans to establish nurseries could be obtained through micro-credit (Component 4).
The private sector has indicated its interest in growing M/H plants. The Rum Agricultural Company
based in the Disi area near the Wadi Rum Reserve, has committed to directly contribute to the project by
developing trials in already existing irrigated rows in between fruit trees and crop cultivation on its farms.
The exact M/H species, cultivation conditions and potential markets need to be identified through
interaction with local Bedouins and researchers. It was agreed that the trials will be maintained by the
local Bedouin community. In return they will take the bulk of the crop.
Other areas will be identified throughout the country and a plan will be drawn up to extend ex-situ
planting over the lifetime of the project. There will be a large demonstration component in all the ex-situ
initiatives. This will enable farmers from all over Jordan and beyond to see the sites and the various
techniques. Information will be provided to all interested parties including mass-media initiatives. This
will be part of Component 3.
Component 3. Public Awareness and Education.
This component would include the development of public education (including school and college
curricula) and mass awareness campaigns on the relevance of conserving and managing Jordan’s
medicinal and herbal plants and their importance in the country’s biodiversity. It will be carried out in
cooperation with NGOs schools, universities, and the private sector. It consists of two sub-components.
(i) Environmental education. The project will work closely with the Ministry of Education to expand
environmental education to include information about M/H plants and their importance in Jordan. Schools
8
will be encouraged to establish or expand school nurseries and raise M/H plants for the children to plant
at school or take home to kitchen gardens. At the tertiary level, technical colleges and universities will be
lobbied to introduce or expand courses in M/H plants and their products. Masters and PhD students will
be offered applied research topics in various aspects of M/H plant establishment, tending, harvesting and
product manufacture. At the informal level, environmental education will be given to communities. For
this, the project will have to train its own extension people and these people can then give training to
MOAs extension agents or give courses directly to communities.
(ii) Public awareness. Public awareness covers a whole gamut of activities from producing leaflets,
newsletters and reports, providing the mass media, (including radio and TV stations) with information
and videos about the project, having articles published in scientific journals, talking to farmers,
communities, government and aid agencies and running workshops and training courses for the
beneficiaries and prospective clients. As part of this sub-component, emphasis will be given to the needs
of disadvantaged groups and women in particular. Fulltime staff will be required in this very important
activity and a training program and public awareness initiatives will be outlined by the start of the project.
Component 4. Income Generation Activities: M/H Quality Enhancement, Product Development.
This component will not be funded by GEF.
One of the best ways to conserve plants is to ensure that they have actual or potential economic value.
Then farmers will look after them in the wild, want to manage them sustainably and grow them as a cash
crop. The purpose of this component is to add value to M/H plants through producing organically grown
and certified plants, ensuring proper handling, grading of M/H plants and using the correct processing
procedures to ensure quality products. This will be backed up by providing market intelligence to the
farmers and producers and searching for new markets and products based on M/H plants. In order to
ensure that the disadvantaged, including women, can play an active role in the M/H plant industry (from
growing to the finished product), the availability of micro-credit schemes through the Agricultural Credit
Corporation (ACC) will be essential. Four sub-components will be included as follows:
(i) Certification of organically grown M/H plants and their products. International certification practices
will be obtained and national certification procedures will be based on these practices. Independent
certification personnel will be trained and registered and farms will have to comply with laid down
procedures in order for their crops to qualify as sites of organically grown and processed products. It is
anticipated that they will command a premium price on the market. Thus, part of the job of product
promotion is to seek out markets for these products and to advise farmers about opportunities for
organically grown M/H plants.
(ii) Standardization of M/H raw materials and processing. This covers a whole range of activities from
cleaning the raw material to quality control. Product preparation includes cleaning, grading, labeling and
compliance with standards. Processing covers extraction, purification, chemical analysis and quality
control. For all these activities standards have to be set, people trained, equipment (from cleaning to
chemical analysis) has to be in place and there has to be good market intelligence for the kind and quality
of products required. The pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food processing industries should be partners in
this sub-component and should be encouraged to research into the making of new or improved products.
(iii) Income generation through product promotion is a vital ingredient for the development of the M/H
plant sector. At present, it is estimated that the annual imports of M/H plant products is of the order of
US$ 6 million, whereas exports are under $0.4 million. Many of the M/H products that are imported
could be produced from indigenous M/H plants. Again, Jordan has some unique M/H plants, but usually
these are exported in the unprocessed state, with little value added. Therefore, this sub-component
includes providing information on packaging, pricing, processing, marketing opportunities, market niches
and general market intelligence for M/H plants and products. Similarly, the pharmaceutical, cosmetics
and food processing industries should be partners in this sub-component. Training will have to be given in
all aspects of promoting and trading goods, including contract and product liability etc.
9
(iv) Obtaining credit for income generating activities is vital, especially for the disadvantaged who have
little, if any, collateral as a loan security. Cooperative arrangements with on-going initiatives that aim to
provide micro-credit to the poor, including the Enhanced Productivity Program of the Socio-Economic
Development Programme, King Abdullah II Foundation; USAID’s Jordanian-US Business Partnerships
will be explored. A micro-credit scheme would be established with a revolving fund of up to US$ 1
million from the project through the USDA Rural Community Cluster Development Project (RCCDP)
and other potential sources. This fund would be deposited with the selected micro-credit scheme, which
would also deal with loan applications. Principally, it will be available to disadvantaged individuals and
communities for M/H initiatives. The mechanism for loan guarantees and loan conditions would be
clearly advertised. This should be done with community participation.
Component
1. Institutional Strengthening
2. Pilot-Sites Conservation
3. Public Awareness and Education
4. Income Generation
PDF-B
Total Project Costs
Total Financing Required
Indicative
Costs
(US$M)
2.50
5.50
1.15
3.35
0.35
12.85
12.85
% of
total
19.50
42.80
8.90
26.10
2.70
100.00
100.00
Bank
financing
(US$M)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
% of
Bank
financing
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
GEF
financing
(US$M)
1.30
3.20
0.50
0.00
0.35
5.35
5.35
% of
GEF
financing
24.30
59.80
9.30
0.00
6.50
100.00
100.00
2. Key Policy and Institutional Reforms to be Sought:
Key issues of the project will be to promote capacity building through the PMU and through the three
agencies managing the pilot sites for the sustainable conservation and management of M/H plants. This
will include a strong collaboration between the relevant Ministries (Agriculture, Health, Planning,
Education) and government bodies (Governorates, GCEP), universities, the private sector, NGOs and
donors. The Steering and Technical Committees should cement this collaboration. Stakeholders will
contribute to the conservation, management and sustainable use of M/H plants. A process to validate
traditional phytomedicines will be established, building on WHOs traditional medicinal evaluation
guidelines. This will be accomplished by paying attention to traditional drugs ascertained to be safe and
effective.
3. Benefits and Target Population:
At the global level, benefits will be obtained through (a) the protection of endangered species, (b) the
sustainable use of M/H plants and natural habitats, (c) improved agro-pastoral practices, (d) better water
management and reduced erosion, and (e) enhanced capacity building of government agencies, research
institutes and communities. At the regional level, the project would promote an inter-change of ideas and
thus build capacity in dealing with the protection of M/H plants. Also, there would be a gene pool and a
source of material to expand the production of endangered, rare or popular M/H species in Jordan and the
region.
The primary beneficiaries would be the communities in and around the different project sites. They would
benefit from on-farm improvements, clear guidelines for the management of M/H plants, improved
marketing channels and alternative sources of income from M/H plants and other natural resources such
as honey production. This would include farmers, with a focus on women, as important producers of
medicinal and herbal plants in local communities. The health of communities and livestock will improve
through the dissemination of reliable information on safety, efficacy and dosage levels of selected
medicinal formulations. Global biodiversity would be preserved though the sustainable use of natural
resources and rural communities will benefit from enhanced environmental, soil and water management.
10
4. Institutional and implementation arrangements:
The PDF-B grant is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Planning (MOP) and MOA/NCARTT. These
bodies have appointed a National Project Coordinator to supervise the implementation of the PDF-B
phase. A Project Steering Committee, composed of representatives of the Ministries of Planning and
Agriculture, has the mandate to supervise and direct the implementation of the project activities during
the PDF-B phase. A Technical Committee composed of representatives of academia, the private sector,
and NGOs has the mandate to provide technical guidance. The administration of the PDF-B grant is with
the MOP. The key agencies, namely the MOP, MOA, Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and the
Environment, MOH, other government bodies, NGOs and the private sector will participate in project
implementation.
A five-year period is envisaged for the implementation of this GEF project. Implementation arrangements
are currently under review. Proposals made in the PDF-B Institutional Assessment (IA) are as follows:
‘Alternative models for the institutional set up of the full GEF project are examined in the IA. There is no
clear choice of a Jordanian institution that can execute all aspects of the project. Based on the weight of
evidence gathered, the report recommends that the MOA be the national executing agency for the project,
relying upon a National Project Leader in a Project Management Unit (PMU) that receives regular advice and
counsel from a Technical Committee that represents the majority of stakeholders. The physical location of the
PMU could be determined by asking prospective hosting institutions to prepare and forward their proposals
to the Minister of Agriculture and his Project’s Committee for evaluation, selection and establishment once
the project is approved’
‘The project will by necessity link several key institutions to address project objectives. In order for the GEF
project to be successful under the current NCARTT management, financial backstopping for the project
could be contracted to a neutral bilateral or multilateral institution, assuring all stakeholders that a
streamlined and internationally acceptable financial process will be in place that follows World Bank
regulations for managing project resources. The IA report suggests that three international agencies could
assume this role: the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA),
Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) and the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP). It also looked at the possibility of the private sector and an NGO taking over this responsibility.’
Another alternative, which has not been envisaged under this assessment, is to equip the proposed PMU,
based in one of the local institutions, with the relevant TA. The Institutional Assessment further reports
that NCARTTs system is slow and unlikely to bring the institutions together to address the project needs;
however, one goal of the project could be to reform this system, possibly by modeling it after the one
used by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).
Irrespective of the PMU’s location and executing agency, three agencies will implement activities at the
pilot sites, namely BRDP, NCARTT and RSCN.
A well designed monitoring and evaluation system is critical to ensure the project’s timely and successful
implementation and to enhance its impact through a systematic analysis of lessons learned and their
effective dissemination The project’s M&E would be the responsibility of the PMU. Monitoring will be
based on the five baseline surveys already undertaken during the PDF-B phase. Further baseline surveys
may be required in Northern Badia and the Upper Rift Valley. The PMU would monitor and evaluate
performance annually through conducting beneficiary surveys. In addition, scientific surveys should be
undertaken every two years to monitor M/H plants and the farming systems etc. and evaluate changes.
The PMU will design a simple management Information System for M&E, reporting formats for each
component and sub-component, including targeted annual performance objectives and monitoring
indicators using Annex 1 as the basis. Quarterly reports are required covering the implementation
progress, the use of funds and the project’s impact. These reports will be consolidated by the PMU into
half-yearly progress reports to be submitted through the MOP to the Bank within two months of the end
of each six-month reporting period. These progress reports will also include an implementation plan and a
11
work program for the next six-month period. The format of the reports will be agreed with the Bank. A
mid-term review will be carried out to assess overall progress. Lessons learned, with recommendations
for improvements, if any, would be used to restructure the project, if necessary.
D. Project Rationale
1. Project Alternatives Considered and Reasons for Rejection:
At present, there has been little or no concerted effort or programs to conserve medicinal and herbal
plants in Jordan. The project preparation team considered the following options: (i) intensify the proposed
conservation strategy by including more areas for protection and broadening the scope of the project; (ii)
using international agencies to run the project; and (iii) adding additional components and subcomponents. These alternatives were rejected for the following reasons:
(i) Number of pilot areas. Originally ten (10) sites were proposed as pilot areas. However, given: (a)
the lack of capacity and resources; (b) the complexity of initially managing a large number of sites; and
(c) the fact that it is the first time that a full-fledged project will address the priority issue of medicinal
and herbal plants conservation, point to the conclusion that such an ambitious program has little chance of
succeeding. The project needs to focus on a limited number of sites with a large level of expressed
community interest and a variety of problems. This could provide a broad range of lessons and
achievements for replication. The selection criteria for the three selected sites included: the possible
existence of globally significant medicinal plant species; they have representative agro-climate zones;
have threatened species that would respond to conservation measures; and have resident communities
with their income base mainly from pastoral agriculture. It is expected that the pilot activities to be carried
out at these three sites will provide “learning by doing” results, which will allow the transfer of positive
management activities to other sites in future and thereby enhance the project’s sustainability.
(ii) Using International Agencies to run the project. At present there is a lack of capacity, finance and
mandate for conserving M/H plants in Jordan. Three alternatives, using International Agencies were
identified under the PDF-B Institutional Assessment. These alternatives are as follows.
1. “It is debatable whether five years is enough time for this effort to be scaled up to an investment
program. In this scenario, the research and investigations on herbal and medicinal plants would continue
and the cadre of national institutes would prepare for the challenges of a more development-oriented
project by concentrating on capacity building and training. Under this option focusing effort on farming
systems that could exploit M/H products would be less intense so as to do more botanical and
biochemical investigations of the potentially exploitable biodiversity with the intention of developing
many species that can be used as spices, herbs and aromatic income-generating crops for small farmers. If
this is the best way forward for Jordan, then ICARDA might make the most suitable agency with whom
to partner.”
2. “The economic situation on the farms is extremely serious following three years of drought and the
shock of competition facing farmers who have not been well prepared for Jordan’s accession to the World
Trade Organization (WTO). If this is the most desirable development philosophy for adoption, UNDP
may make the best partner through targeting of poverty alleviation and alternate income generation.
Through its network of offices, UNDP is charged with running the Small Grants Program for NGOs and
community groups around the world.’
3. “In the GEF context, the World Bank’s primary role is to ensure local sustainability through
investment projects. The Bank draws upon its investment experience in eligible countries to promote
investment opportunities and to mobilize private sector resources that are consistent with GEF objectives
and national sustainable development strategies. The vision of the project in Jordan would be to develop a
small number of already tested species (accomplished during Phase I of the Regional Initiative for
Dryland Management) with the goal of creating new crop commodities that would contribute to a
restructuring of dryland agricultural systems - substituting higher value and more intensely managed
herbal and medicinal plants for barley, wheat and lentil. This emphasis would seek out more
12
entrepreneurial farmers and making large quantities of a few species available for marketing as new
dryland crop alternatives. This approach would need to develop potential new species for the pipeline of
new crops, but the main thrust would be to prove that market demands inside and outside Jordan can be
partially satisfied by this development effort. GTZ is the best agency to align the herbal and medicinal
plants project towards an investment project in the future.”
It is GOJ and Bank practices that existing country institutions should be chosen in order to build-up local
capacity and to ensure the continuity of the initiative after the project ends. Therefore, these three
alternatives were rejected. In addition, the suggested options of RSCN and the Department of
Forestry/MOA as executive agencies were explored. These options were also rejected because RSCNs
experience in the production of medicinal and herbal plants has only been acquired on a very small scale
and DOF is already over committed.
Another option explored is: having a PMIJ, with strong technical assistance. Such a PMU would represent
a powerful instrument for sharing experiences, transferring state of the art knowledge, and contributing to
capacity building and strengthening of private and public institutions, which would better perform project
implementation.
The PMU option was selected in order to maximize organizational, managerial efficiency, transfer
knowledge promote sustainability; prevent institutional overlapping; and optimize participation of crucial
actors in the area of M/H plant conservation and management.
(iii). Additional Components and Sub-Components. The following components and sub-components
were originally envisaged: a research component; a medicinal and herbal plant conservation policy
initiative; additional socio-economic surveys versus updating of the ones already undertaken during
preparation, etc. These proposed components, while useful, would, under the present conditions, have
added only a marginal contribution to the expected outcomes, while adding more burdens to the
management and greater expenditure.
2. Major Related Projects Financed by the Bank and/or Other Development Agencies (completed,
ongoing and planned).
Sector Issue
Bank Financed
Improved Agriculture Practices
Biodiversity Conservation
Project
Jordan - Agriculture Sector Technical
Support Project (ASTSUP)
(P00532 l-LN.38l 8-LO)
S
S
Second Tourism Development Project
(JO-PA35997, $44 million, under
implementation)
S
S
HS
HS
S
S
Strengthening of RSCN and
Conservation of the Dana Wildlands
(JO-UN20482, GEF/UNDP funding,
Bank execution, completed)
Medicinal and Herbal Plants
Conservation and Management
Latest Supervision (PSR Ratings
(Bank-financed projects only
Implementation Development
Progress (IP)
Objective (DO)
Sri Lanka Conservation and Sustainable
Use of Medicinal Plants Project
(P035828, GEF TF 028070, approved
Dec. 18,1997, $5.07 million, under
implementation)
13
Sector Issue
Project
Ethiopia Medicinal Plant Conservation,
Management and Sustainable Use
Project (ET-PE-52315/ET-GE-35147,
approved Feb. 15, 2001, $9.053 million,
under implementation)
Latest Supervision (PSR Ratings
(Bank-financed projects only
Implementation Development
Progress (IP)
Objective (DO)
S
S
Ghana Northern Savanna Biodiversity
Conservation (NSBC) Project
(PO6768S-LEN-BBGEF, $ 7.6 million,
under implementation)
Other Development Agencies
UNDP/GEF - Medicinal and
Herbal Plants
Egypt - Conservation and Sustainable
Use of Medicinal Plants in Arid and
Semi-Arid Ecosystems (EG/G3-/00,
$9.053 million, under implementation)
UNDP/GEF-Agro Biodiversity
in Agriculture
MNA Regional Use of Dryland AgroBiodiversity Project (ongoing)
ICARDA - Improved arid land
management
Initiative for Collaboration to Control
Natural Resource Degradation of Arid
Lands in the Middle East.
IFAD/ICARDA - Improved
rangeland management
Rangeland Management in Faisaliy and
Buseira Area
P/DO Ratings: HS (Highly Satisfactory), S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), HU (Highly Unsatisfactory)
3. Lessons Learned and Reflected in Proposed Project Design:
This is the first fully fledged project in Jordan focusing on the Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal
Plants. Hence, lessons learned from experience gained elsewhere in this sector; and through communitydriven development projects in general will be incorporated into the project. These lessons include: (a) the
project design should include technical and stakeholder reviews before it is finalized, and (b) clearly
defined goals and objectives are essential to focus the project efforts, monitor progress, and to
demonstrate impacts.
Important lessons emerging from ongoing medicinal and herbal plant projects and community based
natural resources management projects are or will be used to develop this initiative. This knowledge will
deepen through information sharing, study tours and staff exchanges throughout project preparation and
implementation. The principal lessons from individual M/H projects considered by this project are as
follows:
Jordan: Conservation of the Dana Wildlands and Strengthening of the Royal Society for the Conservation
of Nature (RSCN) (GEF/World Bank/UNDP). The key factor behind the success at Dana was the
continuous involvement of the local population. By building on local skills and initiatives, opportunities
were created to gain a livelihood from the nature reserve without destroying it. Carefully regulated ecotourism provided other opportunities while “putting nature first.” The institutional strengthening
14
component of the RSCN revitalized and presented it with a clear mission and a management by objectives
system, with a trained and motivated staff. Most importantly, it gave it the will to make the protection of
Jordan’s natural heritage succeed. This proposed project builds on that experience by including in the
project design a participatory process involving all interested parties, especially local communities.
The first Bank-GEF funded medicinal plant project was the 1998 Sri Lanka Conservation and Sustainable
Use of Medicinal Plants. Five Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas (MPCAs) were identified with
community participation. Communities are having difficulty in understanding that conservation does not
exclude sustainable uses. To date no actual demand has been determined for the medicinal plants
identified in need of protection. Nurseries have been established in all 5 MPCAs and cultivation trials
initiated. Plantations have also been established in second-growth areas around the MPCAs. The project is
training 160 individuals in government and agricultural institutions who will serve as trainers of other
villagers. The project has prepared IPR legislation documents: “Legal Framework to Safeguard
Traditional Knowledge Relating to the Use of Medicinal Plants” and “Recommendations on New
Legislation Required for the Regulation of Access to Genetic Resources.” These documents could be
model for other cases in the GEF portfolio, including this one, where similar questions arise.
The Ethiopia Medicinal Plant Conservation. Management and Sustainable Use Project is supported by
GEF and IDA/LIL funds. The objective of this project is the conservation, management and sustainable
use of medicinal plants and integrating selected phytomedicines and traditional healthcare into the
primary healthcare system. Because there are 12 project stakeholders ranging from conservationists to
bio-medicinal researchers, implementation was delayed by three months to ensure all participants fully
understood their TORs and MOU. Stakeholder activities proceed according to an agreed schedule. The
Project Coordinating and Monitoring Unit (PCMU) is based in the Institute for Biodiversity Conservation
and Research and its position as lead agency was agreed to by all participating agencies. The PCMU has
financial, procurement and disbursement officers who have developed a good working relationship with
stakeholders. The PCMU benefits from a Technical Steering Committee, of whom many members were
part of the development phase. Project management is also assisted by an Advisory Committee.
The Ghana Northern Savanna Biodiversity Conservation (NSBC) Project’s global objective is to improve
the livelihood and health of communities through the conservation and sustainable use of natural
resources including medicinal plants. The project recognizes the role and knowledge of medicinal plant
use by women, healers, and pastoralists. An important project component is the establishment of a close
working relationship between the Ministry of Health and its Department of Traditional and Alternative
Medicine and the lead ministry namely the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines. The latter is
responsible for the conservation and management of natural resources, including medicinal plants. IPR
will also be addressed. The project has established good liaison with the healers in the three northern
regions and will assist them to establish Traditional Healer Associations. Communities will be
responsible for the identification of threatened high-demand medicinal plants and, in collaboration with
research scientists, identifying cultivation practices.
The objective of the GEF/UNDP Egyptian Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants in Arid
and Semi-Arid Ecosystems Project is to conserve globally significant medicinal plan species and
associated habitats in St Katherine’s protectorate. The lessons learned are: (i) immediately document
medicinal plant uses to highlight where conservation efforts are required and to provide market
intelligence in efforts to promote M/H plant products and services; (ii) recognize that M/H plant use
knowledge is an integrated part of their total economic value, hence clear policies and legislation
recognizing the legal rights of individuals and communities should be defined; (iii) laws pertaining to
IPR, trade regulations, proper handling and safe utilization of M/H plants are missing and need to be
addressed; (iv) the subject of medicinal plant conservation requires effective coordination between
government agencies, research institutions, NGOs and local beneficiaries with skilled team coordination
and clear definition of roles and areas of expertise. These lessons were used in formulating this project.
15
4. Indications of Borrower and Recipient Commitment and Ownership:
Jordan ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 12 November 1993 and the
Desertification Convention in 1996. It has been one of the most successful countries at implementing key
Community Driven Development (CDD) Conservation activities including the WB/GEF project in Dana
and the IBRD project in Aqaba.
The proposed project is consistent with the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Study (1998)
that recommends more extensive work to protect Jordan’s rich diversity of medicinal and herbal plants.
Sustainable use of M/H plants is one of the key priorities identified by the study. The 1996 Policy Charter
of the Ministry of Agriculture explicitly recognizes the importance of conservation and sustainable use of
these plants to meet agricultural diversification objectives and to enhance the efficient use of land and
water.
In September of 1999, the Government requested assistance from the World Bank to prepare a project for
the Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants. The PDF-B grant is currently under execution by MOP
and MOA/NCARTT. An inter-ministerial Steering Committee and a multi-member Technical Committee
were formed to assist in its preparation (see Section C4). Although currently there is a lack of capacity,
there is commitment at the highest levels to implement a model project for M/H plant conservation. Also,
the Government has clearly stated that it has learned from the difficulties encountered during the on-going
implementation of the PDF-B grant (due to personnel changes in the MOP, coordination issues between
MOA and MOP, lack of familiarity of NCARTT with Bank procurement procedures and processing
delays). It is fully committed to ensuring that these difficulties are not repeated during project
implementation.
5. Value Added of Bank and Global Support in this Project:
The Bank and the GEF have fruitfully collaborated with GOJ in implementing CDD conservation
activities such as the GEF Dana/RSCN, the Aqaba project and the IBRD Tourism project. The Bank’s
involvement in the GEF-assisted medicinal and herbal plant projects allows valuable lessons to be
incorporated into this project and affords the opportunity to promote an exchange of ideas, facilitate
cross-fertilization with other GEF-projects and create a medicinal and herbal plant network.
The principal value added of GEF support is based on its global experience in designing, implementing
and financing biodiversity conservation projects. The GEF support is justified by the global significance
of M/H plants in Jordan, the existing threats to ecosystem integrity and species survival and the
commitment of the government and NGOs to implement the project. The GEF-support will enable the
project to target globally valued and threatened M/H plants and to a limited extent address international
water conservation issues, reduce the threat of desertification and increase carbon sequestration.
The GEF conservation alternative will build on the baseline scenario of ‘without project intervention,’ by
strengthening conservation management in the pilot sites. The GEF support would enable key information
to be gathered on the socio-economic and biological data of in-situ medicinal and herbal plants harvested,
their status and their habitats. This information can be used to derive appropriate management practices
within the pilot sites.
Currently, national efforts to regulate the harvesting of medicinal and herbal plants are very limited. Also,
there is little, if any, integration of M/H plant cultivation into agricultural systems. At present, training
programs do not exist and the knowledge base is relatively small. Again, public awareness of M/H plants
is limited to a few NGO groups.
The GEF alternative would:
 Actively link the development of guidelines for conserving M/H hotspots and the sustainable
management and harvesting of M/H plants with community needs and commercial demands.
16






Monitor and evaluate the status of key rare/threatened medicinal and herbal plants. This will serve as
an important indicator of ecosystem health and human demand in the selected areas.
Integrate pastoral farming with the sustainable use of rangelands to reduce the threat of wind and
water erosion and with the long-term aim of increasing the presence of M/H plants.
Expand the database and gene poo1 for M/H plants.
Intensify current efforts to capture traditional knowledge and expand knowledge of the botany of
medicinal and herbal plants and their use in Jordan.
Support the development of training programs in scientific institutes and for farmers that focus on
sustainable management and harvesting techniques.
Promote public awareness on a national scale through financing formal and informal education and
public awareness initiatives in all aspects of M/H plant conservation.
E. Issues Requiring Special Attention
1. Economic
[ ]Summarize issues below: [ ] To be defined
[ ] None
Economic evaluation methodology:
o Cost benefit
o Cost effectiveness
 Incremental Cost
o Other (specify)
An incremental cost analysis was undertaken. This specified the additional costs accruing to Jordan for
protecting its invaluable biodiversity resources (Annex 2). The project design seeks to emphasize costeffectiveness through minimizing budget impact, maximizing involvement of the local communities,
using existing institutions, and building on lessons leaned.
Incremental costs. The incremental costs cover project expenditures of activities that have global
benefits. The baseline expenditure scenario was calculated to establish current and planned funding
amounts for activities that would occur without the GEF M/H project. The estimated difference between
the cost of the baseline scenario and the cost of GEF alternative represents the incremental costs. The
incremental costs will contribute to: achieving global environment benefits through conserving rare and
endangered M/H plant species; completing a data base and gene pool of all M/H plants in Jordan;
strengthening the institutional framework; developing mechanisms for sustainable use; and enhancing
public awareness of global environment issues pertaining to medicinal and herbal plants conservation. It
is expected that the GEF contribution towards the incremental costs would be of the order of US$5.35
million with estimated additional contributions of about US$ 2.5 million from the GOJ and beneficiaries
and US$5 million from other donors. (See Annex 2 for Incremental Cost Analysis).
2. Financial
[ ] Summarize issues below [X] To be defined [ ] None
Total Project Costs are estimated at US$12.85 million. Usually, the conventional financial rate of return
analysis is not carried out for GEF biodiversity projects. Total government financing during the project
implementation period is estimated to be about US $2.5 million. Mainly, this will go towards meeting
baseline costs that result in primarily national benefits. The incremental costs, which generate the global
environmental benefits, will be financed through the GEF grant and will be an estimated US$5.35
million. Other donors (e.g. USA, EU and the GTZ, Desertification initiative) are being solicited. A
financial mechanism for ensuring the long-term sustainability of project benefits is being addressed. Its
main emphasis is on developing financially viable products and services based on M/H plants.
The project is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the GOJ budget. The total non-GEF
financing during the implementation period is estimated at US$7.5 million. The Government is
17
committed to supplying 20% of this total, beneficiaries 13% and other donors 67%. Recurrent costs are
estimated at about US$ 0.3 million annually. This represents a negligible amount of the total recurrent
budget of GOJ.
As the project encourages the long-term use of M/H resources, the financial benefits to individual
households, rural communities and urban dwellers would be apparent as the project evolves and
widespread sustainable practices are adopted.
3. Technical
[ ] Summarize issues below [X] To be defined [ ] None
The technical capacity and training needs of the collaborating institutions will be assessed during PDF-B
grant period and adapted, where appropriate, during project implementation. The project will establish
models of best practices for the sustainable use and management of M/H plants in order to replicate these
experiences in other region and mainstream their importance in the conservation policy.
The project will focus on medicinal and herbal plant conservation through stakeholder participation and
technological integration into the ecosystem and habitats. Such an approach implies solutions that are
comprehensive, often based on traditional knowledge, and adapted to participatory planning and decisionmaking processes. Already, Jordan has acquired experience with such an approach, but never in this
sector. Defining and agreeing on a resource-use approach that is both acceptable to the communities and
favorable to the conservation of M/H plants will be the challenge. Technical inputs will be required for
the sustainable conservation of M/H plants, as well as for monitoring progress, and for the processing and
marketing of M/H products.
Replicability: Results may be slow in the conservation and sustainable management of M/H plants in the
three pilot areas. Thus, it may take time before some replicable data are available. Through public
awareness thrusts, the Government of Jordan intends to disseminate to all interested parties the positive
lessons leaned as soon as they become available.
4. Institutional
The institutional issues are the weak aspects of this project. In this ongoing PDF-B stage, the grant
recipient is the Ministry of Planning (MOP). NCARTT/MOA is implementing the grant with close
supervision by MOP, which has communicated to the Bank concerns about NCARTT lack of experience.
NCARTT is a research institution. It has budgetary problems and cumbersome bureaucratic procedures.
The Letter of Agreement for the PDF-B grant was signed by GOJ on November 27, 2000.
NCARTT has been moving very slowly in the implementation of the PDF-B grant. The Bank has been
training NCARTT in procurement procedures with little success. The slow responses of NCARTT and
lack of implementing expertises is of great concern. The implementation of the grant is hampered by lack
of full-time management, inter-ministerial disagreement and coordination issues, inadequate procurement,
and unprecedented delays.
4.1 Executing Agencies:
In the PDF-B grant proposal, NCARTT is nominated as the executing agency. However, following a
recent request from the Ministry of Planning, other options are being explored. A detailed institutional
and manpower assessment to identify specific human resources and management arrangements has been
carried out. There is a need to further explore, during appraisal, the housing of the Project Management
Unit in an entity, such as the Jordanian River Foundation or the Hashemite Foundation, which has:
demonstrated autonomy, sound financial and accounting systems in place, and low overhead costs. The
executing agency will be guided by a Steering Committee, to be chaired by the Minister of Agriculture,
including representatives from: agencies such as the Minister of Health, private sector, NGOs, producers,
consumers, and local communities.
18
4.2 Project Management:
A small Project Management Unit (PMU) would be established under the executing agency. The PMU
will have a coordinating role. NCARTT should have a prominent role as the technical service provider.
The PMU will be made up of a Project Manager, a specialist in M/H plants, a Financial
Manager/Procurement Specialist (or both), an Administrative Assistant and a Driver. Since this is a new
area for Jordan, the positions of project manager and M/H specialist will be coupled with international
experts positions. Other experts will be hired as consultants with expertise in specific fields such as M &
E, production and marketing. The housing of the office is still to be decided. For the three pilot
conservation areas, small implementation units will be established at these sites. These units will be under
the supervision of the PMU. Three different organizations will manage these pilot sites, namely RSCN at
Wadi Mujib, NCARTT in the central upper slopes of the Rift Valley and BRDP in Northern Badia. The
PMU will be supervising all the component and sub-component activities outlined in Section C above.
4.3 Procurement Issues:
Goods and services will be procured according to the World Bank procedures. A detailed procurement
plan will be prepared.
4.4 Financial Management Issues:
A Financial Management System (FMS) approved by GOJ and the World Bank has to be agreed. Such a
FMS could be put in place in the proposed Interim Management Unit and the Financial/Procurement
Officer should be trained to run the system. This system would be developed to cover operational
procedures, audits and reporting requirements of the GOJ, the WB and other international donors. Prior to
negotiations, a WB Financial Management Specialist will issue a Financial Management Certificate
(Annex 4 of the Bank’s Financial Management manual), together with an action plan agreed with the host
country. Financial management arrangements and issues will be detailed during project preparation.
All project costs will be given by category, line item and year and entered into the COSTAB format.
5. Environmental
5.1
Summarize significant environmental issues and objectives and identify key stakeholders. If the
issues are still to be determined, describe current or planned efforts to do so.
A preliminary environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared following initial studies by local and
international consultants. In summary the preliminary EA determined that:
1. Large areas of the rangelands are deteriorating because of drought conditions exacerbated by
overgrazing and over-harvesting of M/H plants. This has reduced biodiversity on these lands and
there is an incipient loss of minerals from the soils including carbon due to decreased vegetation
cover. This is compounded by an increase in wind and water erosion as a result of non-sustainable
practices leading to a spiral of decline in the carrying capacity of the land.
2. Some arable land is in poor condition due to repeated failure of grain crops and the invasion of
noxious weeds. Alternative M/H crops have been tried on an experimental basis. These hold some
promise as they mature earlier and require less water.
3. Some flora (and fauna) is under threat as a result of these deteriorating conditions (as is the livelihood
of farming communities). If little or nothing is done to halt this decline then many rangeland areas
and marginal arable areas will slowly degrade and become non-viable even as pastoral land.
4. Some of these rangeland areas will eventually reach desert status with adverse national, regional and
even global consequences for biodiversity, carbon store and the quality and quantity of water flow.
5. The proposal to identify and utilize cultivation practices for threatened high-demand M/H species
does not pose an environmental risk. Every effort will be made to ensure that such species will be
compatible (intercropped) with presently cultivated crops or that they will play a significant role in
inhibiting land degradation processes.
5.2 Environmental category and justification/rationale for category rating: B - Partial Assessment
This project is rated category B and is expected to have positive impacts on the environment with little
adverse environmental consequences. A major objective is in-situ environmental protection, biodiversity
conservation, especially hotspots containing rare or endangered M/H plants, and rangeland management.
19
The project would seek to actively and effectively engage local stakeholders in the sustainable
management of Jordan’s natural resources.
Another objective is the ex-situ growing and use of M/H plants to ease the pressure on their ‘wild’
relatives and to provide alternatives for disadvantaged people. The ex-situ growing of organic M/H plants,
to relieve the pressure in-situ, may entail the application of some mineral fertilizers and approved
pesticides and herbicides, but if so, precautions will be taken to store and handle approved herbicides,
pesticides and mineral fertilizers. To counter the use of herbicides and mineral fertilizers, integrated pest
management will be promoted as will the planting of nitrogen-fixing species.
An environmental management plan is being formulated in coordination with MOA and NCARTI’ to
promote environmentally friendly conservation and ex-situ farming practices. The EMP’s main thrust is
to return marginal and degraded areas into productive and sustainable areas while at least preserving if not
expanding the presence of M/H plants in the wild and to relieve the pressure on wild races. The
management of rangelands will be improved by erosion prevention methods, controlled fire management,
some enrichment re-seeding/replanting of M/H plants and other beneficial and/or endangered species.
Efforts will be made to increase shrubs, bushes and trees of M/H and fodder species on all land use types.
A database of all M/H plants will be completed and a gene pool upgraded, leading to an expanded source
of M/H plants for propagation in Jordan and export to requesting countries. These environmental
initiatives will run in tandem with formal and informal environmental training and demonstrations,
especially concerning M/H plants, for all sectors of the population. The project will help rejuvenate pilot
areas, reduce erosion, reverse degradation and enhance biodiversity. As the project proceeds, the EMP
will be revised constantly to take into account positive initiatives and lessons leant as a result of various
programs.
5.3 For Category A and B projects, timeline and status of EA
EA Start-up date:
March 2002
Date of first EA draft:
April 2002
Expected date of final draft
July 2002
A preliminary EA of the project activities will be completed by mid-May 2002 and mitigation measures
will be proposed to address possible environmental impacts.
5.4 Determine whether an environmental management plan (EMP) will be required and its overall scope,
relationship to the legal documents, and implementation responsibilities. For Category B projects for IDA
funding, determine whether a separate EA report is required. What institutional arrangements are
proposed for developing and handling the EMP?
The project’s objectives are to achieve good conservation and management practices of medicinal and
herbal plants. Thus, the main features of the EMP are to demonstrate the best pastoral (and arable)
practices on pilot areas and then use these pilot areas as springboards to spread such practices to similar
areas in Jordan and elsewhere. A dominant feature of this plan is the protection and enhancement of M/H
plants in the wild and their propagation through arable farming ex-situ in order to relieve the in-situ
pressure. As part of this effort, areas prone to wind and water erosion will be targeted for special
attention. These interventions should improve the microclimate, but also increase sustainability of M/H
plants and improved fodder species. Areas containing valuable, rare or endangered M/H plants will be
pinpointed and protected. Ex-situ emphasis will be placed on increasing such plants in marginal cereal
areas, and in kitchen and school gardens. Local people, the PMU, in-situ area managers and other parties
will be fully consulted about the EMP and the agreed version put into action with the principal inputs
coming from the beneficiaries. Thus, local people will be given environmental training and formal
environmental education will be expanded in schools. Farmers will be taken to demonstration sites and
shown in-situ sustainable management practices for M/H plants and ex-situ fanning of these plants. If
herbicides, pesticides and mineral fertilizers are to be applied, only approved ones will be used and they
will be handled and applied according to international standards. Disposal of containers etc. will also be
in accordance with international rules. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and nitrogen fixing plants will
be promoted and organic fanning will be encouraged. Standards will be used for the dosage and purity of
M/H medicine and herbs and these will comply with international norms. The EMP will be flexible so
20
that it can be adapted to promote interventions that work, drop marginal features and introduce new ones,
if necessary. All this will be done with the collaboration and approval of the beneficiaries. Without their
full support, the EMP cannot work successfully.
The main features of the EMP, integrated within the relevant project components, will be:













Complete the baseline surveys of M/H plant biodiversity and areas threatened by erosion, especially
those containing M/H plants.
Establish in-situ and ex-situ pilot sites to demonstrate management methods to protect, propagate and
manage these areas.
Monitor all project sites for compliance with best environmental practices.
Take farmers to demonstration sites and provide them with advice and seek their opinions.
Run training courses for project staff and farmers on the reasons and application of the EMP, on IPM
and the use of organic fertilizers and green manure etc.
Run courses on water conservation and the proper the use of waste and ground water.
Undertake surveys of M/H ‘hotspots’ and take measures to protect them.
Work with the Ministry of Education to enlarge environmental education in schools and at the tertiary
level, especially concerning M/H plants.
Encourage the planting of M/H plants in and around houses and schools, along contours for erosion
control, along permanent or seasonal rivers/streams and as shelterbelts to improve the microclimate.
Improve the data base, gene pool and seed sources for M/H plant needs.
Encourage private nurseries to provide seedlings and cuttings of M/H plants.
Establish international standards for M/H medical and culinary applications.
Undertake monitoring and evaluation of M/H plant biodiversity, changes in the habitat, especially
wind/water erosion, and the changes in the attitude of people to the environment.
5.5 How will stakeholders be consulted at the stage of (a) environmental screening and (b) draft EA
report on the environmental impacts and proposed EMP?
From the start of the project identification there has been close consultation with the local administration
and farmers in selected project areas. Also, as part of the PDF-B surveys, potential beneficiaries were
consulted and their opinions sought. Consultation will be an ongoing project activity and the
implementation of the EMP and its problems (and opportunities) will be reviewed constantly.
5.6 Are mechanisms being considered to monitor and measure the impact of the project on the
environment? Will the indicators reflect the objectives and results of the EMP section of the EA?
A detailed program will be compiled to determine the impact of the project. This includes baseline
surveys, demonstration plans, monitoring programs for M/H plants in-situ and ex-situ, biodiversity,
erosion control, best farming practices etc. The database and gene pool will be finalized and reviewed
periodically, seed multiplication of M/H plants will be controlled. Environmental Management Indicators
will be reflected in the EMP. These will meet the objectives and goals of the Project and comply with
international standards.
6. Social
6.1 Summarize key social issues arising out of project objectives, and the project’s planned social
development outcomes. If the issues are still to be determined, describe current or planned efforts to do
so.
The project is likely to have a positive social impact with the important objective to improve the health
status of human and livestock populations. Participatory approaches will be part of the project’s
management planning process in order to ensure that local communities’ concerns are addressed
effectively and to reinforce a sense of ownership at all levels. It will build on lessons learned in
community participation and management of completed and ongoing projects. A focus will be the training
21
of extension workers in participatory and gender approaches. As M/H plants and traditional health
systems are an important source of healthcare (and spices) for rural and urban poor, any effort to improve
and standardize the safety and efficacy of commonly used herbal remedies will benefit the population.
A number of project components will address social issues as an integrated concern. The overriding
problems of poverty, particularly in marginal and rural areas will be addressed through the preservation,
management, and growing of these valuable plant resources by the communities as a sustainable source of
income. Health issues are also intricately linked to poverty, whereby the medicinal plants provide the
primary affordable health care needs of rural and Bedouin communities and their livestock. Ensuring their
sustained and expanded use is of the utmost importance to the health and welfare of the poor. Also,
women are an integral part of the economic system built round M/H plants, whether as collectors, users,
or sometimes healers. Surveys already undertaken will ensure that the women’s opinions and wishes are
recorded and that project activities will be designed to involve women as specific target beneficiaries.
Gender. Social analysis of gender issues in the conservation, management and sustainable use of natural
resources underscores the differences in terms of authority structures, status in the community, access to
land, resources, benefits, income, training and education in the control and use of the environment. To
bridge the gender disparity and to alleviate women’s vulnerabilities in M/H utilization and management,
the project would: (i) ensure that information relating to project activities reach both men and women, as
well as preparing women to participate fully in the resource management process; (ii) target women in the
communities, as well as women’s organizations, for education and awareness on biodiversity and M/H
conservation and safe use; (iii) support women to conserve existing M/H plants through cultivation; (iv)
promote mechanisms for the active and full participation of women, especially healers and birth
attendants in Traditional Healer Associations; (v) target them for access to micro-credit facilities; and (vi)
include them in grower’s and producer’s organizations.
Summarize Key Issues. During project preparation, 3 relevant studies were undertaken: (a) an Inventory
of M/H plants, (b) a Socio-economic Assessment and (a) a Cultivation Survey of Medicinal and Herbal
Plants to deepen the understanding of the social aspects, which will be integrated into the project design
of Component 2. A summary of the results of these 3 studies is as follows (Annex 5):
The Inventory of M/H plants.
A rapid botanical assessment was carried out in five locations, representing different vegetation systems
and bio-geographical zones in Jordan. Theses zones included: Ajiloun Woodland Reserve, Safawi and
Azraq, Mujib Nature Reserve, Wadi Araba and Shaubak area. Nine hundred plant species were recorded
of which 122 species have medicinal uses. Ninety medicinal species were specifically identified by
interviewees. Three were identified as endangered, 18 as rare, 8 as decreasing in abundance, while the
remaining 93 were common.
A botanical inventory was compiled for each location along with socio-anthropological and ethnopharmacological assessments. Threats to future supplies of M/H plants include: habitat destruction;
ineffective legislation inside and outside protected areas; insufficient information on status, distribution,
value and use of medicinal plants; absence of a national medicinal plant conservation program; and a high
demand for effective species. It is estimated that 60% of the people relies on plant-based remedies for
their daily healthcare needs.
Recommendations for conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal plants were proposed
to overcome current threats. They include: in-situ conservation programs that build on indigenous
knowledge and use; effective plant collection and trade regulations; prevention of habitat destruction;
strengthen resource management legislation; ex-situ production; increase public education and expanded
awareness programs.
The Socio-economic Assessment.
Dependable domestic statistics on production, processing and trade are unavailable. Marketing of M/H
plants has always been a private sector activity and is dominated by indigenous healers and small traders.
Retailers dictate the trade with four companies controlling 40% of the market. Activities are concentrated
in Amman, Zarqa, Maa’n, Irbid, and Karak. Ninety-seven species of M/H plants are consumed in Jordan,
22
(2.9 t./yr), and ten species account for 80% of the trade. Plants or their products are traded in either their
raw state or with limited processing and with almost no quality control. The value of the trade has not
been determined. Monographs for 76 medicinal and herbal plant species considered to be important for
cultivation were prepared. As mentioned previously, over-exploitation, destructive harvesting, habitat
degradation, agricultural expansion and grazing are the major threats to Jordan’s M/H plants.
The majority of private farms are small (between 5-20 dunums —0.5 to 2 ha.), in rainfed areas and are
labor intensive. Farmers are predominantly male and interested in expanding the cultivation of M/H
plants (appropriate to their soils). Water is the major limiting factor to increased cultivation, especially in
the Amman and Madaba regions. While women are the primary collectors and user/traders of wild plant
sources, their activities indicate that harvesting guidelines are a priority need if local extinctions are not to
occur. Income derived from the collection and/or cultivation of medicinal plants is minimal. Cultivation
by several commercial operations supplies local markets with fresh and dried thyme, mint and meramyah
and seeds of anise. Production is not focused on plants of value to the pharmaceutical companies.
The Cultivation Survey.
It will be essential to make the appropriate cross linkages to the GEF Operational Program 13 (OP-13) on
agro-biodiversity because of the need to conserve and use the herbal, medicinal and aromatic germplasm
for sustainable but economic exploitation. When the cultivation study was prepared, OP-13 was not yet
operational. The objective of OP-l3 is to promote: (a) the positive impacts and mitigate the negative
impacts of agricultural systems and practices on biological diversity among and within agro-ecosystems;
(b) the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources of actual and potential value for food and
agriculture; and (c) the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources.
OP-13 is not intended to substitute for OP- 1 to 4 on conservation of biodiversity in various ecosystems,
but rather to provide a framework for additional activities specific to conservation of agricultural
biodiversity.
As mentioned previously, a total of 445 species of medicinal plants, which belong to 330 genera and 99
families, are found in Jordan. The cultivation study identified 76 medicinal and herbal plant species that
should be considered by the project within three categories: (a) vegetables to be cooked or used fresh in
salads, (b) plants which are grown as ornamentals in home gardens, and (c) plants which are used as
spices or for medicinal purposes. Some of these are indigenous to Jordan; some have global significance
as a source of medicine; and some are already grown successfully in other countries. It is suggested that
those with good potential and medicinal properties should be included in a breeding or selection program
to improve their medicinal and herbal properties. Under this group, the study identifies 39 plant species
and classifies them into three groups; trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. It will be critical to prioritize
species within the categories identified, but remain flexible to the goal of delivering numerous production
possibilities to growers and processors. The prioritization should be based on best chances of success. The
project must stay focused on delivery of production packages that can be turned over to the private sector.
The challenge will be to create the intersectoral links needed to sustain this chain of effort from discovery
to exploitation, marketing and diffusion/replicability of results.
Monitoring of biological and economic indicators will be essential if the work is to continue beyond
the GEF project duration. The work program must repeatedly assess progress from the baseline
condition and take care to judiciously select verifiable indicators that will be practical to both
measure and use when assessing the presence, absence, frequency, and biological density of
biodiversity or rate of change in the trends of use for land races, underutilized crops, and other rare
species. Stress tolerant species are important, but there is a risk of devoting too much time on
research towards understanding the principles of stress tolerance over exploitation of the stress
tolerance in production systems.
Irrigation with treated wastewater can be used to produce medicinal and herbal plant species
containing compounds for industrial extraction. This offers a good opportunity to use this water
without health or environmental hazards. The main thrust of the project should be to obtain feasible,
usable results in supplying raw materials in sufficient quantity of an optimum quality to the
pharmaceutical and M/H related industries. Organic farming was not mentioned in the report and
should be considered in the future as an important means of adding value to the category of herbal
and medicinal plants used for human consumption.
23
These assessments identified environmental, social, economic and cultural opportunities and constraints
that should be addressed in the management plans for the in- and ex-situ sites to be developed with the
direct participation of beneficiaries, NGOs and government agencies. These plans should adhere to
Guidelines for Using Social Assessment to Support Public Involvement in World Bank-GEF Projects.
6.2 Participatory Approach: How will key stakeholders participate in the project?
Participatory approaches in design and implementation are core elements of this project. Information
sharing among all stakeholders will be key in project design and implementation. During project
preparation, active participation and partnership is envisaged by key agencies such as MOA/NCARTT,
MOH, BRDP, RSCN, etc. It would build on lessons learned in community participation and natural
reserve management in the GEE financed ‘Strengthening of RSCN and Conservation of Dana Wildlands.’
From the start, local communities will be involved from project preparation through community
workshops, information sharing, consultation and collaboration. It is expected that local communities
would identify management and enforcement criteria and play a major role in protecting in-situ M/H
resources as well as growing plants on farm and in kitchen gardens. The private sector (including
manufacturers, collectors, pharmaceutical industry herbalists and healers) provides the most important
source of information regarding imported and exported M/H plants and their value for the Jordanian
economy; it was involved and consulted from the beginning of the project. Jordan’s academia, especially
the University of Jordan and Jordan University of Science and Technology, (Faculties of Agriculture,
Pharmacy, Botany) have been and will continue to be involved in the M/H plant inventory and cultivation
component.
Coordination with Stakeholders: MOH, BRDP, RSCN staff, private sector manufacturers of
pharmaceutical drugs, professors of pharmacy and plant ecology, private sector herbalists and healers
were consulted during project preparation to determine the geographic distributions of medicinal plants,
the extent of M/H plant use, the most important problems faced concerning conservation, cultivation and
marketing. A number of meetings were held with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry. These
included the Arab Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Eden Natural Herbs Association, Delass
Natural Products, and the Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co, Ltd. While there was some initial
concern regarding the regulation of phytomedicine on the part of several representatives, there was
agreement that they should actively participate in the project. A meeting with the general manager of the
RUM Agricultural Co. in Disi resulted in an offer to provide space in the nursery to carry out preliminary
cultivation trials using irrigation practices. Further offers should follow.
Other donors and groups working in Jordan in the field of natural resource management, conservation,
community development, private sector M/H production and product manufacture, etc., will be
approached for information sharing and consultation during project preparation.
The beneficiaries and stakeholders in the proposed project include:
a. Primary beneficiaries and other affected groups:
 farmers, community groups
 special focus on women
 NGOs
 National Center National Center for Agricultural
Research and Technology Transfer, Ministry of
Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Planning,
General Corporation for Environmental protection
 Private sector: for instance RUM Agricultural Co., the
Arab Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co., Medicinal
Plants Producers and Traders Association
 Academia: University of Jordan, Jordan University of
Science and Technology
24
Ident./Preparation
Implementation
IS/CON/COL for all
groups listed
IS/CON/COL
for all groups
listed
 Users (for human and livestock use)
b. Other key stakeholders
 Donors: ICADA, GTZ, USDA, US Embassy, EU
CON
IS/CON
6.3 How does the project involve consultations or collaboration with NGOs or other civil society
organizations?
During preparation there were close consultations with village and community groups. Group approaches
to resolve conservation, production and marketing problems will be developed. There is strong NGO
(RSCN) activity in Wadi Mujib. This will be built upon. Also, the existence of a strong Pharmaceutical
Association will help the project to improve standards for phytomedicines and expand or develop
markets. Collaboration with local communities will involve cost sharing. This has to be worked out, but it
is envisaged that the beneficiaries will provide cash or in-kind contributions and in turn benefit from the
sale of M/H plants and products. This will foster an active and results-orientated participation in the
project.
6.4 What institutional arrangements are planned to ensure the project achieves its social development
outcomes?
The PMU and the implementation units at the three pilot sites will ensure that the social development
outcomes are obtained through regular monitoring and evaluation of project activities. The project
activities are demand-driven to ensure that they represent stakeholder priorities and implementation will
rely substantially on the active participation of key stakeholders. This approach should promote project
sustainability and ownership by beneficiaries, the Govemorates and central government. The institutional
arrangements will be designed specifically to ensure transparency in the selection of partners used for
demonstration activities.
6.5 What mechanisms are proposed to monitor and measure project performance in terms of social
development outcomes? If unknown at this stage, please indicate TBD.
Monitoring is based on the baseline surveys undertaken during project preparation. Five studies were
undertaken and extensive data were collected on existing M/H plants, their location, possible cultivation
practices and social and economic factors. These are documented as working papers. A M&E system
including social indicators will be developed by the PMU. This unit will track project performance
through periodic beneficiary and technical surveys. The results of the M&E activities will be fed back
into the implementation process as improved practices. A mid-term review will be carried out to assess
overall progress. Lessons learned, with recommendations for any improvements, will be used to
restructure the project when and if necessary.
7. Safeguard Policies
7.1 Do any of the following safeguard policies apply to the project?
Policy
Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01, BP 4.01, GP 4.01)
Natural Habitats (OP 4.04, BP 4.04, GP 4.04)
Forestry (OP 4.36, GP 4.36)
Pest Management (OP 4.09)
Cultural Property (OPN 11.03)
Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20)
Involuntary Resettlement (OP, BP 4.12)
Safety of Dams (OP 4.37, BP 4.37)
Projects in International Waters (OP 7.50, BP 7.50, GP 7.50)
Projects in Disputed Areas (OP 7.60, BP 7.60, GP 7.6O)*
X
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Applicability
O No
O
O No
X
X No
O
X No
O
X No
O
X No O
X No
O
X No
O
X No
O
X No
O
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
7.2 Project Compliance
(a) Describe provisions made by the project to ensure compliance with safeguard policies, which are
applicable.
25
A preliminary EA was carried out, and this formed the basis of the EMP. The project will promote the
conservation and sustainable management of M/H plants in rangelands, their planting in arable areas and
the development of M/H products. This will lead to improved rangeland management, decreased wind
and water erosion and greater biodiversity protection. No weed killers or pesticides will be used on the
project sites. If farmers are found to be using such chemicals on their own land they will be encouraged to
use 1PM and if they still want to use permitted weed killers, they will be advised about its storage, use
and disposal of containers as laid down in various FAO guidelines covering packaging, storing, labeling
and disposal of herbicides and their containers. (FAO Rome 1985). Prohibited chemicals will not be used
and all precautions will be taken including following normal safeguard practices in compliance with FAO
guidelines. Integrated pest management will be demonstrated as a viable alternative to the application of
hemicals, as will the application of organic fertilizers in place of mineral fertilizers.
(b) If application is still to be determined, describe current or planned efforts to make a determination.
8. Business Policies
8.1 Check applicable items:
[ ] Financing of recurrent costs (OMS 10.02)
[ ] Cost sharing above country 3-yr average (OP 6.30, BP 6.30. GP 6.30)
[ ] Retroactive financing above normal limit (OP 12.10, BP 12.10. GP 12.10)
[X] Financial management (OP 10.02. BP 10.02) Involvement of NGOs (GP 14.70)
[X] Involvement of NGOs (GP 14.70)
8.2 For business policies checked above, describe issue(s) involved. Financial management will be fully
consistent with Bank policies.
National and international NGOs (IUCN, Conservation International) will actively participate in project
design. National NGOs will also be involved in the implementation of the project.
F. Sustainability and Risks
1. Sustainability:
One of the policy/institutional conditions that may adversely affect the sustainability of the project
activities is the absence of a well-defined national land use planning framework. This has aggravated the
degradation of M/H plants and other biodiversity habitats in Jordan. Existing laws affecting land use are
weak and are not properly enforced. The multiplicity of agencies and the absence of nationally agreed
upon land use plans and buffer zones have resulted in urban encroachment, deforestation, and rangeland
deterioration. The proposed project will promote in-situ conservation and sustainable use of M/H plants at
the Mujib Reserve and two other sites (including the establishment of buffer zones), which have been
identified as priority pilot areas. At the national level, this will be the first effort towards developing
methods for the sustainable harvesting of in-situ M/H plants that recognize the unique biological and
physical characteristics of protected areas. This approach is expected to be replicated at other important
sites elsewhere, which will serve to combat the degradation of their habitats. In addition, to relieve
pressure on in-situ sites, there will be ex-situ growing of M/H plants by communities and private farmers
and the manufacture of products base on such plants. The public awareness component under the project
will also serve to sensitize local communities and other stakeholders to the importance of preserving these
habitats.
Participatory approaches are key to reinforce a sense of ownership at all levels, enhancing the efficiency
of resource management, and contribute to sustainability. In terms of outcomes, sustainability will depend
on replicability. The full collaboration of rural communities at the proposed project sites is required to
create the right conditions for future replication. The lack of stakeholders’ awareness and participation in
the land use planning process has been cited as an important institutional constraint. It is expected that
such methodologies and practices, piloted and developed under the proposed project, involving the
26
participation of local communities in management, decision-making and monitoring, can be replicated in
and around other reserves and other biologically important sites in Jordan.
National expertise to develop safety and efficacy standards and dosage levels of traditional medicines is
currently limited. Further research is necessary to verify the direct applicability of technical options for
implementation at the laboratory, farm, and the project site levels. The proposed project seeks to address
this lacuna through developing national research capacity and leveraging private sector participation.
The project will be sustainable if the following issues are given sufficient attention:

The lack of stakeholder’s awareness and participation in land use planning processes is an important
institutional constraint in the protection of Jordan’s biodiversity. The full collaboration of rural
communities at the proposed project sites will be required to create the conditions for future
replication and to establish a sense of ownership. Enhancement of biodiversity protection will be
based on negotiation agreements (especially concerning grazing) with local communities and the
success in providing verifiable benefits from alternative livelihoods. The provision under the project
to put in place management plans for the different sites will have a positive influence on their
sustainable management, not only for M/H plants, but also for the complete fauna and flora.

Long-term sustainability is crucial. It will depend on the impact of the project being of value and
profitable. Significant improvements in marketing M/H plants and cost recovery measures depend on
farmer participation and engagement and will lead to farmer’s interest and support. Due attention will
be given to ensuring sustainability during the design and implementation in the project. This will be
done through market analysis to determine the most profitable plants and products. These will be
promoted through demonstrations, organic labeling, product promotion, adherence to standards,
quality control, public awareness and the micro-credit program, etc.

NCARTT as a provider of agricultural services has had a good experience in working with local
communities through extension workers. For this project, NCARTTs focus on research has to move
towards implementing a participatory approach with the different stakeholders and groups and
information sharing, as well as on the ground performance.

The GOJ has to provide sufficient inputs to support the project’s objectives such as developing safety
and efficacy standards and dosage levels for M/H medicine and their integration into modern
medicine.
2. Critical Risks (reflecting the failure of critical assumptions found in the fourth column of Annex 1):
Needs Work
Risk
From Output to Objective
Government Commitment towards
conservation of medicinal and herbal
plants dwindles
Risk Rating
Risk Mitigation Measure
M
Government involved to ensure that the benefits
accruing from conserving and using M/H plants
through rural employment and income
generation, erosion reduction, import
substitution, and the development of the M/H
sector.
The capacity of NCARTT remains
limited. Slow processing of
procurement of goods and services
which will hamper implementation
H
Provide training and support to the PMU.
Decrease of M/H plants with the
concurrent increased degradation of
rangelands and inability of government
N
National awareness program targeted at key
audiences, including policy makers.
Demonstrate methods to conserve M/H plants
27
to avert further damage.
and its role in reversing degradation.
Low/inadequate commitment from
beneficiaries.
N
In-situ and ex-situ areas selected after detailed
consultation and agreement with participants.
Participatory approach implemented for
development plans.
S
Competent staff available, however, it is
hampered by bureaucracy. The PMU should
have flexibility and the financial and
procurement management should follow WB
Procedures
Inadequate collaboration between
inter-agencies and with other
stakeholders support lacking
M
Inter-agency training courses and site visits will
increase cooperation, especially as project
Other donor funding inadequate,
private
M
All interested partners have to increase effort to
attract donor and private funding support.
Three agencies for pilot M/H
conservation will not work together
and this essential sub-component not
effective
N
Interagency competition should lead agency
trying to out-perform their rivals. Inter-site visits
and frequent swapping of information should
lead to a vibrant co-operation
From Components to Outputs
Lack of competent staff to implement
the project.
Implementing agencies may be unable
Project will provide training and career
to attract and retain qualified staff
development benefits and work towards loyalty
especially in the field.
in this professional field.
Overall Risk Rating
M
Risk Rating: H- High Risk, S - Substantial Risk, M - Modest Risk, N - Negligible or Low Risk
G. Project Preparation and Processing
1. Has a project preparation plan been agreed with the borrower?
[ ] Yes - date submitted:
[[NEEDS TO BE DONE]]
[X] No - date expected:
2. Advice/consultation outside country department:
[X] Within the Bank: Gonzalo Castro, Robert Kennedy, Kathlenn S. McKinnon, Aloysius U. Ordu, Colin
Rees, Jitendra Srivastava, Anthony J. Whitten
[X] Other development agencies: CI, DOS, GTZ, ICARDA, IUCN, UNDP, USAID, USDA, WHO
H External Review
3. Composition of Task Team:
Govind Bora, Stefanie Brackmann, Usaid El-Hanbali, Nicole Glineur, Samia Msadek, Ayat Soliman
(MNSRE); Ferid Belhaj (LEGMS), Hovsep Melkonian (LOAG1)
4. Quality Assurance Arrangements:
[[NEEDS TO BE DONE]]
28
S. Management Decisions:
Issue
Action/Decision
Responsibility
Total Preparation Budget: (US$000) Bank Budget: Trust Fund:
Cost to Date: (US$000) GEF resources of $ for supervision and $ as PDF-B
[ ] GO
[ ] NO GO
Further Review [Expected Date]
Nicole Glineur
Team Leader
Salah Darghouth
Sector Manager
29
Joseph Saba
Country Director
Annex I: Project Design Summary
JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
Hierarchy of Objectives
Sector-related CAS Goal:
Improve environment and
rainfed water management
promote human development
in Jordan.
GEF Operational Program:
 OP# 1: Arid and Semi-Arid
Zone Ecosystem
 Crosscutting area: Land
Degradation and AgroBiodiversity (OP# 13).
Project Development
Objective:
Improve livelihood and health
of communities.
Global Objective:
Improved conservation and
sustainable use of medicinal
and herbal plants species.
Key Performance
Indicators
Sector Indicators:
Environmental degradation
decreased, rural well being
increased.
Data Collection Strategy
Critical Assumptions
Sector I country reports:
Reports, statistics and
monitoring system.
(from Goal to Bank Mission)
Political support at all levels for
sustainable use of natural
resources, rural development
and poverty alleviation.
Plant conservation and
management initiatives
implemented for plant species
of regional and global
significance. Reduced land
degradation due to successful
implementation of
conservation management
initiatives in target areas.
Monitoring program,
government statistics,
project reports.
Government’s ability to
mobilize resources for
environmental protection and
build institutional capacity,
particularly for the conservation
and use of M/H plants and
biodiversity conservation, thus
contributing to community
development and the national
economy.
Outcome/Impact
Indicators:
Threat to medicinal and
herbal plant species is
diminished and key
biodiversity areas identified
and protected.
Database and monitoring
system fully functional.
Active participation of
communities in conservation,
management and income
generating programs.
Outcome/Impact
Indicators:
Reduction in biodiversity loss
in selected areas.
Establish gene pool for M/H
plants.
Expansion of in-situ and exsitu planting and use of M/H
plants.
Project Reports:
(from Objective to Goal)
Database, monitoring
systems, agricultural and
trade statistics.
Full GOJ support.
Project development
interventions are self-sustaining
and replicable.
Information available to
users.
Project Reports:
(from Objective to Goal)
Baseline survey and
monitoring.
Progress and supervision
reports.
GOJ implement policies and
programs aimed at promoting
medicinal and herbal plants,
resulting in increase of national
and international demand for
M/H plants and products.
Overcome community
resistance to support and accept
biodiversity conservation
initiatives.
30
Output from each
Component:
1. Institutional
strengthening, project
monitoring and evaluation
a. Project management unit
operational, including
administration, finance,
procurement, M&E system
implemented, NCARTT et al
capacity strengthened and
institutional collaboration
strengthened.
Output Indicators:
Project Reports
(from Outputs to Objective)
PMU fully functional and
operational by mid-2004.
Institutional assessment
conducted and training needs
identified by end PY 1.
Training completed by PY 2.
Professional assessment of
training status by end PY 4.
Project supervision reports.
M&E reports.
Ability to maintain staff, offices
and GOJ support.
Communities take on planning
& management responsibilities.
b. Developing regulatory
instruments and crucial intersector links (MOA, Ministry of
Health, Veterinary Dept.,
pharmaceutical industry,
producers, consumers).
Technical Committee
between relevant participating
ministries, private sectors and
stakeholders established and
meet regularly.
Technical committee
meeting minutes, follow-up
activities, progress reports.
Requirements and standards of
MOH, Vet. Dept. specified and
updated.
c. Intellectual property rights
(IPR), policy and guidelines
(including benefits sharing)
developed.
IPR policy and guidelines for
sharing traditional health care
knowledge and use of M/H
plants established; proposals
tabled and laws enforced.
Project supervision reports.
Government endorsement
d. Establishing standards,
safety, efficacy testing, etc.
Standards for sustainable use
of rare and popular M/H
plants established; proposals
tabled and laws enforced.
Project reports.
Standards comply with
international guidelines.
e. Establishing a national
medicinal plant database and
updating gene-bank.
National medicinal and herbal
plant database and gene-bank
established by end-2004.
Project and database
reports. Database updated
quarterly. Frequency of
use of database.
Information in database leads to
improved sustainability and use
of M/H plants.
f. Training for Masters and
Ph.D. students. GIS program.
Applied research results
published. GIS updated
frequently. Project
supervision reports.
Project research reports.
Sufficient qualified students.
Site management plans
formulated by mid-2004.
Plans implemented and
updated frequently.
Project reports. Site
management plans.
M&E information.
Management in the 3 sites in
place by mid-2004, trained staff
recruited , and sufficient funds
budgeted for 5 years.
Ex-situ locations identified,
farmers’ agreements
compiled and medicinal/
herbal planting program
drawn up, trials undertaken.
Cultivation practices prepared
by end-2004. Demonstration
plot program formulated.
Project reports.
M&E information.
Farmers willing to participate in
the expanded output of M/H
plants. Project arranges site
visits to demonstration plots and
provides information about
opportunities for M/H plants.
2. Pilot-Sites Conservation
a. Three pilot conservation
sites established.
Rare and endangered species
recorded and protected.
Demonstrations organized.
b. Ex-situ cultivation trials of
M/H plants established.
31
3. Public Awareness
a. Environmental education
delivered to communities and
schools.
Curricula for primary/
secondary/tertiary/informal
environmental education to
include M/H.
Progress reports. MOE
information, consultant’s
reports.
MOE, a willing partner to
develop or expand curricula,
funds available for sample
equipment for schools,.
Communities actively involved
in environmental protection
Three targeted communities
based training workshops
undertaken yearly from 2004.
Progress reports.
Targeted audiences identified,
channels and actions defined.
a. Certification of organically
grown produce.
Certification program
compiled and accepted
nationally and internationally.
List of certified farms
published. Project and
inspector’s report.
International standards
accepted. Organically grown
produce command higher price.
b. M/H plant materials
prepared according to
standards. Processing ability
enhanced, chemical analysis
and quality control done.
Product development by
communities/private sector.
Improved product quality.
Quality testing laboratory
established. Information
compiled on all aspects of
processing. Training courses
provided. Inspectors chosen.
Project, laboratory and
inspector’s reports.
Jordan Bureau of Standards
plays active role in standards
enforcement.
c. Market identification,
market intelligence, export
opportunities and building
partnerships with the
pharmaceutical sector.
Information compiled on all
aspects of trading. Partnership
with pharmaceutical sector
established and regular
meetings held.
Trade papers, project
reports, trade statistics.
Government active in export
promotion and trade fairs.
Market prices are sufficient
incentive for producers,
processors and traders.
d. Macro-credit available to
individual and communities for
M/H initiatives.
Funds channeled and
delivered through the
Agricultural Credit
Corporation (ACC). Take-up
by individual and groups
increasing.
ACC annual reports,
Project reports, socioeconomic surveys.
Loan agreement acceptable to
communities/individuals.
Project Components/Subcomponents:
Component 1. Institutional
Strengthening. US$2.500
million
Inputs: (budget for each
component)
Project reports:
(from Components to
Outputs)
a. Project Management Unit
(PMU).
US$1.250 million.
PMU reports.
Management competence
improved, functions carried out
in timely manner.
b. Development of inter-sector
links.
US$0.225 million.
Steering Committee.
Government records, PMU
reports. Follow-up
activities.
Quality improved and quantity
of local M/H plants and
products expanded.
c. Intellectual property rights
(IPR), policy and guidelines.
US$0.225 million.
Government information
and documentation. PMU
reports.
Policies and guidelines adhered
to, laws respected, payments
made for IPR.
b. Public awareness campaigns
including women’s
development implemented.
4. M/H income generation,
quality enhancement,
product development
32
d. Establishing standards,
safety, efficacy testing, etc.
US$.0.250 million.
PMU reports, trade
statistics.
Improved quality of M/H plants
and products leads to expanded
market demands and new
business opportunities.
Database leads to expanded
production and use of M/H
plants and products, including
new species and products.
e. M/H plant database
established.
US$0.250 million.
PMU reports, database
reports.
f. Training program identified
and delivered.
US$0.300 million.
PMU reports.
Applied research provides
improved M/H knowledge.
a. In situ conservation in three
areas in Jordan and
demonstration plots.
US$3.600 million.
PMU reports, M&E.
Rare, endangered and popular
M/H plants conserved in-situ,.
Source for breeding etc.
b. Ex-situ M/H plant expansion
and demonstrations.
US$1.900 million.
PMU reports, M&E.
M/H plants grown in various
locations for commercial
purposes on expanded areas.
Farmers and community groups,
including women/
disadvantaged, trained to grow
and process M/H plants.
a. Formal and informal
environmental education.
US$0.550 million.
MOE reports, PMU
reports, M&E.
Environmental education
improved at all levels,
positively affecting the
environment.
b. Public awareness including
promoting replication.
US$0.600 million.
PMU reports, M&E.
Through increased awareness,
benefits from conserving and
sustainably managing M/H
plants reflected in decreased
poverty rates and improved
economy. Replication of
project promoted.
a. Certification of organic
farms and products.
US$0.500 million.
Government records, PMU
reports, M&E.
Organically grown products
fetch premium prices.
b. Product preparation and
processing.
US$1.000 million.
PMU reports, M&E. Trade
reports.
Products graded, proper
handling, quality assured.
Production meets international
standards, new products.
c. Product promotion.
US$0.850 million.
Trade reports, PMU
reports, M&E.
New markets found, better price
for producers, import
substitution.
d. Micro-credit.
US$1.000 million.
PMU reports, Bank and
Steady increase in loans,
Component 2. Pilot-Sites
Conservation, US$5.500
million.
Component 3. Public
awareness. US$1.150 million.
Component 4. M/H quality
enhancement, product
development and income
generation. US$3.350 million.
33
consultant’s reports.
PDF-Block B US$0.450
million. Including
contribution of US$0.100
million from GOJ.
34
repayment rates high.
Annex 2: Incremental Cost Analysis
JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
Overview.
I. The broad development objective of the proposed project is to improve livelihood and health of
communities through the conservation, management, and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants
for human and livestock needs in Jordan while ensuring effective in-situ protection of threatened habitats
and ecosystems. Progress will be determined by: (i) measurable improvement in the conservation and
management of globally and nationally significant M/H plant species and their habitats; (ii) community
involvement and adoption of improved biodiversity management guidelines and new conservation
measures; (iii) increased community awareness of biodiversity issues and (iv) maintenance of in-situ and
ex-situ field gene banks of rare and threatened medicinal and herbal plant species. The GEF Alternative
intends to achieve these outputs at a total incremental cost of US$5.35 million to be financed by GEF.
Context and Broad Development Goals.
2. The flora of Jordan is rich in medicinal and herbal plants, mainly the Umbelliferae, Labiatae and
Composite. Many of them grow in sub-series or successional communities in various states of
development or degradation, and are adapted to arid or semi-arid conditions. M/H plants in Jordan are
distributed throughout the country from the eastern desert to the western highlands and from the semiarid
north to the extremely arid south. Local people have recognized the importance of these plants as a source
of M/H products since time immemorial. A few studies related to the identification of endemic, rare and
endangered species have been carried out in Jordan on all flora. An estimated 100 species of endemic
plants comprising about 2.5 percent of the total flora are recognized. A total of 485 species of medicinal
and herbal plants, which belong to 330 genera and 99 families, is reported from Jordan (Oran and AlEisawi, 1994). The identified plants are herbs, shrubs or trees. Under the PDF - Block B Grant an
inventory of M/H plants in five sites representative of most of the vegetation types in Jordan revealed 94
species of medicinal value. Three species were found to be endangered (Cyclamen persicum, Moringa
peregrina, Salvadora persica), five rare (Ankyropetalum gypsophiloides, Foeniculum vulgare,
Gomphocarpus sinaicus, Pergularia tomentosa, Rheum palaestinum, eight decreasing in abundance
(Arum dioscorides, A. hygrophyllum, Ceratonia siliqua, Crataegus aronia, Majorana syriaca, Matricaria
aurea, Mentha longfolia, Nasturtium officinalis), one endemic (Rheum palaestinum) and one extinct
(Salvia triloba). The remaining sixty-four species were considered common, although an increasing
number are coming under threat. An earlier survey by the Royal Society of Conservation of Nature in one
proposed project area (Wadi Mujib Reserve) indicated the presence of rare species like Adiantum
capillus-veneris, Sternbergia clusiana, Pistacia atlantica, Caralluma aaronis, Pergularia tomentosa,
Equisetum ramosissimum, Crocus moabiticus, Micromeria sinaica (endemic; also on IUCN list),
Teucrium leucocladum, Ajuga chamaepytis, A. iva, Lavandula pubescens, Withania somnifera (new to the
area). Endemic species in the Mujib reserve include Withania obtus folia, Micromeria sinaica, and
Crocus moabiticus.
3. One of the major difficulties of assessing the importance of M/H plants and developing a strategy for
their conservation and sustainable use is the lack of hard facts about which species have medicinal value,
their detailed distribution, how they are collected or harvested, which species are cultivated and where,
what are the quantities involved in collection, consumption, and trade and etc. Trade statistics are
unreliable as is the identity of the material traded under such names as oregano, covering plants belonging
to more than one genus and several species. Some countries such as Spain have produced reasonable
detailed assessments of the uses and trade in medicinal and aromatic plants. A review of surveys for other
Mediterranean countries, prepared under the auspices of the MEDUSA organization, as part of data
gathering on wild regional species of potential value for sustainable use may provide examples of good
practices.
35
4. Jordan’s flora is considered rich and diverse, being at the junction of three continents, Europe, Asia and
Africa. Al-Eisawi (1985) indicated the presence of four bio-geographical regions and thirteen vegetation
types. In Jordan, M/H plants have served many functions played important roles including supplying
ecological, genetic, social, cultural, economic, and scientific services (Al-Khalil, 1995; Al-Eisawi and
Takruri, 1989). In addition to enhancing health care and rural well being, M/H plants contribute to soil
protection and soil-water enhancement due to their adaptation to semi-arid conditions. They generate
income for the population, particularly for resource-poor people by, for instance, providing jobs for
women who undertake about half the gathering, processing and marketing of M/H plant material.
5. The sector is undergoing major changes. On one hand the demand for M/H plants and their extracts for
domestic use in Jordan is increasing and is satisfied either through over-harvesting of wild plants, a little
cultivation or by imports. This latter amount to about US$ 6 million per year with exports about $ 0.4
million annually. On the other hand, there has recently been an increasing interest in the promotion and
sustainable use of M/H plants. In addition to their exploitation in the health sector, they are increasingly
becoming part of agricultural and environmental programs.
Baseline Scenario
6. At present, there are very few activities in Jordan that specifically focus on the conservation and
sustainable use of M/H plants. The main activity concerns that of the Germplasm for Arid Lands Program
(GALP) through the Desertification Initiative whose objective is to identify and evaluate indigenous and
exotic species of plants for arid lands, evaluate their economic and environmental potential and promote
the establishment of a more biologically diversified and productive plant resource base for farming
systems in the region. Thus far, the activities have been limited to carrying out experimental field trials on
yield improvement, cultivation under plastic house conditions, impact of mulching on arak, mellisa, and
roselle, and financing scholarships. Extension work in cultivation of M/H plants continues to be minimal.
The commitment under Phase II of the Desertification Initiative would focus on the regional knowledgesharing approach. Activities planned in Phase II under the Plant Genetic Resources for Arid Lands
include the completion of activities undertaken in Phase I (described above), and the formulation of
national strategies through planning workshops to control desertification as the basis for identifying a
regional strategy. hence, there will be limited attention paid to sustainable use of M/H plants in Jordan.
7. NCARTT would continue some basic research on germplasm and ex-situ conservation, but its budget
does not permit it to expand the scope of its activities in sustainable use of M/H plants. In-situ
conservation of medicinal and herbal plants will not be pursued in the Wadi Mujib reserve. The ongoing
GTZ and WAD projects will work with the communities to develop sustainable rangeland management
systems, but will not specifically address the issue of conservation of M/H plants.
8. RSCN will continue to implement its mandate to manage the nature reserves and protected areas.
However, it has no independent resources to carry out the much-needed baseline surveys, market
assessments, socioeconomic surveys etc. on medicinal and herbal plants. Hence, conservation and
sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants would be extremely limited.
9. The Nour Al-Hussein Foundation’s (NHF) Quality of Life (QOL) program was established in 1985.
The Medicinal Herbs Agri-Enterprises Project (MHAEP) was established in 1989 to integrate women in
rural development, create employment, turn home gardens into enterprises, preserve medicinal and
aromatic plants, and to ensure women as decision makers. The preliminary target site was Bani Kinanah
managed in cooperation with the local community and several Jordanian universities. To date, 440
women have received technical training under the project and another 1800 obtained indirect benefits.
Simultaneously, the quality of life of women has been improved; they have become decision-makers,
established their own enterprises and contributed to the protection of Jordan’s biodiversity. The NHF has
an important role to play in supporting the role of women in traditional health care and income generation
through cultivation. This should be encouraged.
36
10. While the Government is keen to meet its obligations under the Biodiversity Convention, more
pressing development problems will take priority over M/H plants conservation and sustainable use.
Therefore, the baseline scenario will result in limited conservation of M/H plants and strengthening of
national capacity. National NGO efforts will result in a marginal increase in environmental awareness and
the importance of these M/H plants. Similarly, donor activities will result in a limited increase in
sustainable natural resource management. However, there is no process in place to change behavior, so
these activities are unlikely to ensure protection of globally significant M/H plant resources due to lack of
an explicit focus on biodiversity values as well as legal, institutional and socioeconomic constraints to
their protection.
Global Environment Objective
11. The global environment objective is to conserve through community participation the biodiversity and
protect indigenous knowledge in Jordan, to sustain and expand the availability of medicinal and herbal
plants, and to protect the traditional home garden and agro biodiversity of the region. Global environment
benefits will occur through the conservation and management of endemic and threatened species of M/H
within selected sites and be supported by legislative action. Such actions will help to secure the continued
existence of this unique biodiversity. Specifically, the development of management guidelines for
sustainable levels of harvesting will enhance biodiversity protection. In addition, the project will
encourage the planting of globally important M/H plants to relieve the pressure on in-situ sites. A
database and gene pool will be established to preserve M/H species and to make them available to people
throughout Jordan and the region. Furthermore, the project will document and underscore the important
role that traditional knowledge and cultural heritage can play in global biodiversity conservation and
medicinal and herbal plant management programs. Also, international waters will be protected to a certain
extent by improving water harvesting methods and decreasing wind and water erosion through
appropriate management initiatives. There will be some additional carbon sequestration in plants and soil
by increasing the ground cover, especially of perennial plants. However, this sequestration will be
marginal in the early years and will be difficult to quantify over the project’s lifetime. But if conservation
and management of M/H plants continue, carbon accumulation could be significant.
12. The total costs of the GEF Alternative are estimated at US$5.35 million detailed as follows:
Incremental Cost Matrix
Component
Sector
Institutional
strengthening
and collaboration
Community
based support
program
Cost Category
US$ mill.
Domestic Benefits
Global Benefits
Baseline
0.175
Ongoing traditional agricultural
initiatives.
GEF Alternative
(Additional nonGEF incremental
costs $0.142
million).
Baseline
1.635
Increase in research and technical
capacity of relevant government
and non-government institutions.
Training for beneficiaries NGOs to
identify and conserve M/H plants.
M/H plants available for local food
and health benefits, site specific
programs and efforts.
Some protection of germ
plasm. Minimal
improvement to sustainable
use of M/H plants.
Increased public sector
capacity to manage
biodiversity and sustainable
management of M/H plants.
0.683
37
Little if any global benefits
for many M/H species are
bring over-harvested and
some are endangered.
Component
Sector
Public awareness
M/H income
generation etc.
Total
Total
Cost Category
US$ mill.
Domestic Benefits
GEF incremental
(additional nonGEF incremental
costs $2.767
million)
3.230
Three in-situ sites protected and
managed sustainably. Used as
models for other sites. Increased
collection and analysis of
information vital for conserving
endemic/rare fauna. Ex-situ
production of M/H plants and
products.
Increased opportunities for income
generation in rural communities.
Management plans for sustainable
land use, decreased erosion and
improved water harvesting.
Baseline
0.100
GEF incremental
(additional nonGEF incremental
costs $0.594
million).
GEF incremental
Baseline
0.338
Some environmental training, but
lacking in M/H concerns. Minor
public awareness through existing
conservation.
Increased information sharing and
public awareness concerning the
importance of biodiversity,
specifically M/H education.
GEF (additional
non-GEF incl.
$3.268 million)
GEF incremental
0.145
Improved quality and quantity of
products from sustainable supply
5.35
Total GEF input $5.35 million
including $0.350 million for
PDF-B
0.238
0.075
Some private activities
12.85
38
Global Benefits
Pressure relieved from
vulnerable M/H species over
the long term, gene pools of
medicinal and herbal plants
maintained and sustained,
agro-biodiversity preserved,
long-term capacity and
awareness for biodiversity
established. Sustainable
production of M/H plants
increased. Improved quality
and quantity of water into
Jordan Valley, some increase
in carbon sequestration.
Little environmental
enlightenment.
Increased public and private
awareness of globally
significant biodiversity and
the importance of M/H plants.
Negative benefit due to overharvesting.
Sustainable production leads
to increased management and
planting of M/H plants.
Annex 3: STAP Roster Technical Review
JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
Dr. Mark Plotkin, STAP Roster Member
I have reviewed the project and found it to be impressive. It seems well thought out and well designed.
I would suggest - if the project is funded - to bring in a few outsiders with expertise like to complement
that of the Jordanians themselves. In particular, I am thinking of Dr. Jim Duke (jimduke@pcug.org) of
Maryland, USA who is an expert in both Neotropical medicinal plants and medicinal plants of the Holy
Land, and Dr. Gary Martin of Morocco who is an expert in medicinal plants of arid environments.
I would also recommend a bit more attention to Intellectual Property Rights issues, so as not to share
Medicinal secrets across to wide a spectrum.
Finally, I fully recommend funding of this project.
The Medicinal and Herbal Plant Conservation Project (MHPCP) seems to be a well-thought out and welldesigned effort. The development objectives — improving both the livelihood and the health of rural
communities — are praiseworthy goals. And the focus on both human and livestock needs are particularly
important in arid areas like Jordan.
The medicinal and other useful plants of the Middle East have long been overlooked by much of the
conservation community which has often focused more attention on the tropical regions. Yet the
Mediterranean region as a whole has been as important — some would argue more important —as a
source of economic plants for the world. And Jordan, especially in light of its size and because of its
location at the juncture of Asia, Africa, and Europe, has a rich and diverse flora.
Though I haven’t worked in Jordan, I assume the situation in terms of plant use, knowledge and
marketing is similar to most other industrializing countries: traditional cultures are facing severe
disruption, and not transmitting ethnobiological data onto the next generation. Meanwhile, the urban
educated elite are becoming more interested in traditional medicine. And information on trade in
medicinal plants (this is cited in the proposal) is, at best, unreliable.
What this means is that there needs to be some form of recording traditional knowledge about medicinal
and forage plants so this information does not disappear. The need to develop a framework for the
protection of intellectual property rights is explicitly mentioned in the proposal, but recording the
information should be considered a priority and perhaps incorporated in the database being assembled.
The key performance indicators — enhanced management capacity, diminished threats to plants,
involvement of local communities, and enhanced public awareness — are well chosen.
The one aspect of the project that seems least well-developed is the commercialization of useful plants.
Passing mention is made of pharmaceuticals, but this is a complicated, time-consuming, and expensive
process. Probably the best way to approach commercialization of local species is to do so specifically for
local, national, or regional markets. This approach negates the need to try to crack the international
marketplace, which is best avoided in a project of this scale. Another recommendation is to focus on nonmedicinal species: spices or aromatic plants that do not require the same degree of testing as do medicinal
species. An obvious approach is to develop products to sell to tourists (aromatic candles, etc.) that can
generate even greater income.
The other issue that comes to mind reading this proposal is the seeming lack of interaction with other
countries of the region. Surely, many of the challenges facing Jordan are shared by neighboring countries
like Syria. Furthermore, the Israelis are quite advanced in medicinal plant technologies: cell tissue culture,
hydroponics, etc. Political realities might complicate any close Jordanian-Israeli cooperation at this point
39
in time, but any effort to draw on regional expertise or share results with neighboring countries would
serve to augment the positive impact of the project.
Let me say that the issues I’ve raised are meant as helpful suggestions, not serious criticisms. In fact, I
find this to be one of the best-designed plant conservation strategies I have ever seen. If implemented, the
successes that are likely to result should be applicable in many other countries. I recommend full funding.
Response to STAP Review
The project team agrees with the recommendations provided by the SlAP reviewer. During appraisal,
special attention will be given to:
 Further ensure that project components will improve information, knowledge, and recording of
medicinal and herbal plants.
 Further inclusion of outside expertise. Since this is the first time that the conservation of medicinal
and herbal plants is addressed in Jordan, GOJ, local communities, private sector, NGOs and the
project team are well aware that there is a crucial need for external expertise to allow for knowledge
transfer.
 Focus on IPP will be increased.
 More attention will be afforded to product development
 Interaction with other countries of the region will be explored.
40
Annex 4: Draft Detailed Project Description.
JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
This Annex describes the various project components
Component 1: Institutional Strengthening.
This component is divided into six (6) sub-components.
a).
The Project Management Unit. The project will establish a Project Management Unit (PMU). It
will fund a National Project Manager, a Cultivation Coordinator, an Accountant/Procurement Officer, a
Secretary, and a Driver, together with vehicles, equipment and operating costs for a period of five years.
To assist the National Project Manager, an International Project Manager will be appointed for the first
three years.
Funds would be provided to meet the salaries and operating costs of the PMU over the project’s lifetime.
The PMIJ would co-ordinate all the different aspects of the project and the different implementing
agencies, especially under the second component. It will be responsible for all procurement, financial
management and monitoring & evaluation matters. It will recruit various consultants, produce annual
work and procurement plans, compile quarterly financial reports and the annual report. It will organize
steering and technical committee meetings and ensure that accounting procedures and reporting are
undertaken according to laid down procedures and done in a timely fashion. A project description
summary for all the project components is given in Table A at the end of this Annex.
b).
Development of Inter-Sector links. In order that the concerns of all interested parties are taken
into consideration, it is important to develop links between government agencies such as MOA, MOA
GCEP, the growers of M/H plants, the pharmaceutical industry, other producers of M/H products, NGOs
and the consumers. A committee will be established to discuss technical and institutional matter of
relevance to this sector, including strengthening national policy and having an adequate regulatory
capacity to advise the project and to facilitate the conservation of M/H plants, while at the same time
promoting their sustainable and expanded use. The committee will meet 6 times per year for the duration
of the project with an estimated 12 members. It will advise the project, the industry and the steering and
technical committees.
c).
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The purpose of this sub-component is to build up the
existing IPR framework, advise on new product and the licensing of products and establish a workable
patent system. International and national consultants will be engaged to examine IPR in other countries
and the patent laws in Jordan. A technical committee will be appointed comprising six people to advise
government about IPR. This committee will meet six times per year for the first three years.
d).
Standards Establishment. This sub-component is to examine existing standards for all the
various sectors of the of M/H industry from seeds to volatile oils and where necessary propose new ones.
It will look into existing quality of products and the method of selling such products on the national and
international markets. It will be backed up by laboratory facilities to test products for quality etc. This
laboratory is included under Component 4. International and national consultants will be engaged to
examine procedures in Jordan and other countries and make recommendations. A technical committee
will be appointed comprising six people to advise government about standards and testing procedures.
This committee will meet six times per year for the first three years.
e).
Database and Gene Pool for M/H Plants. This sub-component will build upon the existing
facilities in NCARTT. A national medicinal database and gene pool will be establish and maintained at
the NCARTT HQ in Amman. Links will be established or expanded to databases throughout the world.
An international consultant will advise the Project on establishing and maintaining links and providing
training to personnel at NCARTT. There will be facilities at NCARTT to all species and varieties,
especially rare and endangered ones. This will be a source for their multiplication. Extinct species could
41
be obtained from surrounding countries, if available and then they could be re-introduced. Through
networking, contacts will be made worldwide on M/H plants and the flow of information and materials
should be of importance to the project. It is envisaged that the project would support one NCARTT staff
member and provide money for storage, utilities and consumables throughout the project’s life.
f).
Applied Research. There are many technical and social aspects concerned with the growing and
production of M/H plants that are still uncertain. Thus, it is proposed to select graduate students to
undertake applied research in pursuit of a Masters degree. The project will give support to 16 students
over a 2-year period to undertake research in the scientific and social fields. Topics will be chosen by the
people from the PMU, NCARTT, the pharmaceutical industry and the universities etc. The results from
such research should be of direct benefit.
Component 2. Community Based Support Programs.
This component has two sub-components, namely the in-situ protection and management of M/H plants
and the ex-situ production of rare, endangered and popular M/H plants. The first sub-component has two
discrete areas in nature reserves where M/H plants will be protected and managed by the local
communities and one general initiative protecting ‘hotspots’ throughout the Rift Valley where M/H plants
are endangered or rare. The second sub-components will be based in six NCARTT field stations in
different agro-climatic zones. These stations will demonstrate methods and techniques to plant, tend,
harvest and process M/H plants. The stations will also act as a source of planting materials for M/H stock.
Some ex-situ production of rare and endangered species will also occur at the in-situ sites and NCARTT
field station personnel will assist communities and individuals in their establishment and management.
a).
In-situ Protection and Management
i.
Hotspots. (Rift Valley).
‘Hotspots’ are defined as areas of indefinite size where biodiversity is under increasing threat due to
human activity, land degradation and environmental anomalies. In Jordan, human activities include the
over-harvesting of medicinal plants that are a source of accessible and affordable home health care. This
initiative would delimit hotspots whose species are endangered and with the cooperation of people with
indigenous knowledge of the management and protection of medicinal and herbal plants identify
conservation and management strategies and’ action plans to protect such sites. It is proposed that the
Queen Nour Al Hussein Foundation (NHF) in close cooperation with other bodies such as NCARTT,
RSCN and the PMU manage up to 20 hotspots spread over a 5-year period starting with 4 and adding four
new ones each year.
This sub-component will support studies to: (I) inventory flora and fauna and define the boundaries of the
hotspots in collaboration with knowledgeable parties; (ii) assess the supply and demand of medicinal
plants currently used by women for day-to-day health care needs in the home; (ii) assess the sustainability
of the wild supply; (iii) classify their status as to rare, endangered, or decreasing and significance to
Jordan’s biodiversity; (iv) identify guidelines for the sustainable harvesting of wild individuals where
cultivation is not possible; and (v) establish methods for propagation and cultivation of selected medicinal
plant species in home gardens and in degraded habitats etc. to take pressure off the hotspot and provide an
additional source of income. Achieving such objectives would give women a greater opportunity to
develop their knowledge base and play a greater role in resource conservation and management and
supplement present income generation activities.
The expansion of arable lands (with some degradation), overgrazing, urbanization and industrialization
have resulted in serious threats to the natural habitats of M/H species. home and field surveys would be
carried out to determine pressures on wild populations and habitats at selected community sites to better
understand community dependence on M/H plants for human and livestock healthcare and as an income
source.
42
Table 1 gives data on M/H plants collected by women at four sites run by the NI-IF.
Table 1. Medicinal plant species collected by women for home healthcare needs
Species
Matricaria aurea
Paronychia argentea
Peganum harmala
Malabaila secacul
Gundelia tourneforti
Retama raetam
Malva sylvestrus
Urtica pilulifera
Salvia hierosolimitana
Cyclamen persicum
Arum discorides
Crambe orientalis
Thymus capitata
Achillea membranacea
Foeniculum vulgare
Globuhania arabica
D
C
C
NI
NI
C
NI
C
NI
E
NI
NI
NI
NI
R
NI
Um Qais
Libb
Al Amir
+
+
+
+
+/S
+/S
+/S
+
+
+
+/S
+/S
+/S
-i-/S
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+/S
+/S
+
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+
+/S
+
+
+
+/S
+
+/S
+
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
NI - not included in RSCN inventory; C - common;
D - decreasing;
E - endangered;
Frequency
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
3
2
3
2
3
R - rare.
Another activity supported by the project would be ex-situ conservation and cultivation of medicinal plant
species by communities. NCARTT would give training to prospective people who want to start nurseries.
This would be part of the ex-situ sub-component. Such nurseries would be a source of high-demand
species as they are the first source of healthcare in the rural communities. Suitable land and basic water
needs would be sought from the Jordan Valley Authority. The micro-environments of home gardens and
selected agricultural sites contain high levels of species of a variety of end uses: medicinal, herbs, spices
and varieties of health and nutritional value. Also, the nurseries would be points of experimentation,
introduction of new varieties and/or species and genetic diversity as a result of plant (germplasm)
exchange and supported by social-cultural diversity. In addition, they would be a source of supply for
women wishing to expand medicinal plant home gardens or to establish large income generating
agricultural plots.
The outputs of this ‘hotspot’ initiative include:






Biodiversity documentation of selected hotspots.
In-situ conservation and management programs identified that reflect community needs and CBD
objectives vis-a-vis the protection of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge.
Ex-situ cultivation programs established in kitchen gardens, degraded lands and farms that reduce the
pressure on wild sources in collaboration with communities (women), NCARTT and the
pharmaceutical industry.
New source(s) of income generation for communities, especially women.
Strengthening public and private sector collaboration.
Contributing to Jordan’s education and public awareness programs for resource management.
This initiative would build upon the existing knowledge of women etc. by documenting species and
proposing ways to address sustainability concerns within conservation, management and sustainable use
component. The project would support the following items:


consultant services in socio-economic surveys of home use and medicinal plant inventories;
identification of sustainable harvesting guidelines for in-situ high-demand M/H plant species;
43






consultant services in collaboration with women in the identification of sustainable agricultural
practices, selection of medicinal plants for cultivation, training extension officers in collaboration
with NCARTT, USDA, pharmaceutical industry;
community and leader awareness raising and education campaigns (Component 3);
nursery establishment and management;
goods (water containers, etc.) and material inputs (fencing, seeds and other planting materials, etc.)
for cultivation;
incremental allowances for field staff travel; and
incremental allowances for operating expenses.
The core staff for this initiative would consist of a Team Leader and his Deputy both with knowledge on
M/H species and their in-situ management, a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, a secretary/typist and
drivers together with vehicles, equipment and operating costs for a period of five years. The location of
the hotspot office has still to be decided. There will be national and international consultants for hotspot
identification and delineation and assisting communities with drawing up management plans. The core
tern, together with the PMU will help communities manage their hotspots. By the end of the project, at
least 20 hotspots should be managed by 20 communities containing an estimated 600 families and these
areas would have been used for demonstrating in-situ protection and management and ex-situ growing of
rare and endangered species. Through production of M/H plants and products the sites will be selfsupporting and because of the other activities in the project vibrant rural communities will be fostered.
ii.
Mujib and Safawi In-situ Conservation.
The Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve covers 21,500 ha. and is adjacent to the Dead Sea. Four biogeographical regions are present in the reserve and 396 flora and fauna species have been identified. The
average rainfall in this reserve ranges from 250 to 350 mm and it is a water-stressed and eroded area.
Local people graze this reserve and some arable agriculture occurs.
The average rainfall in the Safawi area in the northern reaches of the Badia (desert) area ranges from 50
to 250 mm. All the plants recorded in this area are desert species that can withstand drought and high
temperatures. It is inhabited by Bedouin families that use it for grazing, but a little arable agriculture
occurs using water-harvesting methods. The use of M/H plants for curing human and farm animal
diseases is very common. Various M/H plants are reported as rare or extinct. Therefore, it is important to
delineate, conserve and manage areas containing these and other commonly used M/H plants. While the
boundaries and sites for in-situ conservation have still to be defined, an area similar to the Wadi Mujib
reserve, namely 21,500 ha. is envisaged.
The management of these two in-situ areas will be similar, but different agencies will be in charge. The
Wadi Mujib reserve will be managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and
the Safawi area will be managed by the Badia Research and Development Program (BRDP) under the
Higher Council for Research and Technology (HCRT). The Project Management Unit will have ultimate
responsibility and will ensure that the other components provide inputs to these areas. Likewise, these two
reserves will provide data and information that can be used by the project as a whole. Both the RSCN and
the BRDP organizations have been working in these two areas respectively and their knowledge of the
sites should be most useful. While the exact number of communities to be included in the two initiatives
has still to be determined it is estimated that about 30 villages will be involved at Wadi Mujib and half
that number at Safawi.
The villagers will be involved from the outset to identify areas containing valuable and rare/endangered
M/H plants and indigenous knowledge will be recorded and use. Women especially will play a key role in
the conservation and use of M/H plants. They are the primary sources of home healthcare their knowledge
of wild sources of medicinal plants is invaluable. They have the ability to maintain high-use species in
home gardens. In many households, they are actively engaged in livestock herding and consequently must
administer health care to their animals when sick. Accessing this human and livestock healthcare
knowledge base is critical to the success of this project.
44
Traditional health care knowledge is held by the older women “Hajat”. Accordingly, old women diagnose
and treat ailments and infections, and treatment is generally free. The “Hajat” are also midwives who
have acquired their knowledge through individual experience. No information is available regarding the
total number of “Hajats” in the country or number of people treated. Neither is there any information
regarding the number of home deliveries by the midwives. Starting with the project sites, an inventory of
“Hajats” will be undertaken, including the documentation of their knowledge both of plants and uses.
This would provide important information on the distribution and sustainability of supply of medicinal
plants, particularly of plants whose future existence might be in doubt. Regardless of the doubts by
biomedical practitioners of its validity, treatment by Hajat still remains a viable, effective, cultural
acceptable form of health care that needs to be documented and where scientifically proved, to be
formally included in Primary Health Care Policy. Such information would be very useful in planning
future activities by linking health and agricultural programs. Initially, it is proposed to link the
government health clinics in these two project sites with the traditional healers vis-a-vis referrals, etc. for
their mutual benefit.
The core staff for these interventions consists of a Manager, Ecologist, six Rangers/Community Support
Officers, an Accountant and an Administrator together with vehicles, equipment and operating costs for a
period of five years. Back-up support will be provided by the HQ staff both at RSCN and BRDP and the
PIAU will oversee the operations. National and international consultants will undertake studies in the
dynamics of M/H plant communities, their management and their propagation both in-situ and ex-situ.
Other proposed studies include water harvesting trials, soil erosion interventions and community
participation programs. Site community management plans will be draw up by the communities in the
two in-situ areas, with the support of the two ‘management’ bodies and input by local and international
consultants as mentioned above. These plans will include grazing agreements, water-catchment and
harvesting measures, enrichment planting, erosion control both of wind and water, natural measures to
increase and maintain fertility and integrated pest management initiatives.
Both RSCN and BRDP will ensure that phased management plans are compiled and implemented over a
five-year period. Most importantly, these plans will include appropriate management options and
guidelines for the sustainable use of M/H plants and their products. In order to relieve the pressure from
endangered, rare or popular M/H plants, farmer based cultivation trials will be established. These trials
will be undertaken in collaboration with the ex-situ sub-component. An important part of this initiative
will be learning by doing and ensuring that results from the various interventions, whether positive or
negative, are relayed to farmers and other interested parties through demonstrations and communications.
Besides these two chosen sites, another seven sites were identified as areas in need of protection and
management. Thus, the best practices from these areas should be documented and be made available to
communities’ government and other donors, who may be interested in broadening the scope of the project
to most if not all areas of Jordan and to other countries with similar problems.
The outputs of these in-situ initiative include:








Biodiversity documentation of two areas.
In-situ conservation and management programs identified that reflect community needs and CBD
objectives vis-a-vis the protection of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge.
Pilot ex-situ cultivation programs established in kitchen gardens, degraded lands and farms that
reduce the pressure on wild sources in collaboration with communities (women), NCARTT and the
pharmaceutical industry.
An inventory of traditional health practices and the use of this knowledge to forge a link with health
clinics etc.
Expanded sources of treatment for humans and farm animals based on traditional medicines.
New source(s) of income generation for women etc.
Strengthening public and private sector collaboration.
Contributing to Jordan’s education and public awareness programs for resource management.
45
This initiative would build upon the existing knowledge of villagers by documenting species and
proposing ways to address sustainability concerns within conservation, management and sustainable use
component. The project would support the following items:








consultant services in socio-economic surveys of home use and medicinal plant practitioners and
inventories;
identification of sustainable harvesting guidelines for in-situ high-demand M/H plant species;
consultant services in collaboration with villagers to identify and expand sustainable agricultural
practices, the selection of medicinal plants for cultivation, the training of extension officers in
collaboration with NCARTT, USDA, pharmaceutical industry;
community and leader awareness raising and education campaigns (Component 3);
nursery establishment and management;
goods and material inputs for in-situ management and ex-situ cultivation;
project staff in the two areas to give fulltime support.
services from the PMU and other components to assist with the successful implementation.
The Project staff in the two areas will give fulltime support to the communities and services from the
PMU and other components of the project will assist to ensure its successful implementation. By the end
of the project, the two areas containing about 40 to 50 communities and 4000 to 5000 people will be fully
in charge of managing and protecting these sites. These areas would have been used to demonstrate insitu protection and management and ex-situ growing of rare and endangered species. Thus, other sites
identified during the preparatory phase could have similar interventions initiated before the end of the 5year project’s lifetime. Through the production of M/H plants and products the sites will be self
supporting and become dynamic rural communities.
iii.
Ex-situ Cultivation.
A preliminary study on the Cultivation of M/H Plants was undertaken as part of the preparatory phase of
this project. This focused on identifying such species that could be grown successfully under rainfed and
irrigated production systems. For the most part, the survey focused on high-demand food crops and
spices, but many of these plants also have medicinal value, albeit limited at times. The study detailed
problems likely to be encountered in the production of threatened medicinal plant species. Also,
consideration was given to ex-situ cultivation and use by local communities of rare species adjacent to the
reserve sites as well as by farmers, commercial growers and the pharmaceutical industry.
Monographs for seventy-six species are included in the study providing a botanical description and
identifying the ecology, distribution, biodiversity status, chemical constituents, parts collected, medicinal
and herb usage, cultivation, propagation and general comments. M/H plant species indigenous to Jordan
that have cultivation potential may be grouped into three categories: trees; shrubs; and annual/perennial
herbaceous species.
Tree species are adapted to a range of mountainous and wadi areas where rainfall is sufficient for
survival. The medicinal properties of the trees have not been fully exploited, even though local people
collect parts (bark, root, leaves, fruit, seed) for healthcare needs, or as dyes and for culinary purposes.
Reintroducing them in all parts of their natural habitat(s) will help combat land degradation processes
(wind and water erosion). Trees that should be considered include Ceratonia siliqua, Moringa peregrina,
Salvadora persica, and Zizpuhus spina-christi. Most of these species are tolerance to drought conditions
and provide browse for animals as do the indigenous acacia species.
Shrubs are generally well adapted to the drier areas, those receiving less than 200mm annually. These
include Lavendula officinalis, Myrtus communis, Teucrium polium, and Peganum harmala. Most provide
browse for animals, improve the microclimate and are commonly collected for their medicinal properties.
P. harmala (a M/H plant) is not palatable to animals and is widely distributed in the desert and steppe
regions. However, the most economically important M/H commercial crops cannot be grown under such
conditions without irrigation. Good candidates for cultivation trials apart from the above include Achillea
fragrantissima, Alhaji maurorum, Capparis spinosa, and Cassia acutfolia.
46
Annual and perennial herbs contain many plant species that have medicinal properties and lend
themselves to cultivation. They include the following that are also identified in the M/H inventory: Ammi
visnaga, Anchusa strigosa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Citrullis colocynthis, Ecballium elaterium, Gundelia
tournefortit Paronychia argand impoentea, Pergularia tomentosa, Ruta chalepensis, Teucrium polium,
Urginea maritima, and Urtica pilulifera. Most of these species could be cultivated under a range of
environmental conditions. Citrullis colocynthis tolerates high temperatures, salinity and low soil pH and
could be cultivated on marginal lands. Capsella bursa-pastoris could do well in poor soils - stony,
shallow. Urtica pilulifera can be grown in high moisture soils, humid shaded areas. The cultivation
potential of Gundelia tournefortii is presently undergoing assessment regarding management properties.
Target areas for cultivation trials with emphasis on rainfed sites include: the sub-tropical environments of
the Jordan Valley slopes and the temperate highlands. High rainfall areas with land slopes less than 9%
are deemed more suitable for annual species cultivation. High rainfall areas with slopes more than 9%
could be used for trees and shrubs. Drier areas receiving low rainfall and where water harvesting is
possible should favor trees and herbaceous species.
The number of herbal plants currently being commercially cultivated is relatively small. In 2000, seven
(7) crops were cultivated on 337 ha. with garlic occupying 50% of the land and parsley 39%. Plants
cultivated for their medicinal and herbal properties are also relatively small - 10. Both categories rely
primarily on irrigation. In low rainfall areas water harvesting offers opportunities for cultivation and
added income, (EU supported study). Herbal species (e.g. oregano, sage and mint) with high water
requirements that cannot be met by rainfall alone and plants (e.g. medicinal) adapted to marginal, low
rainfall areas would benefit from water harvesting. In addition, as gathered from anecdotal evidence,
many women grow M/H plants in kitchen gardens for self-consumption and for local trading.
Research and technology transfer needs are considerable. At present it is restricted to the Ministry of
Agriculture through NCARTT, the Nour Al Hussein Foundation and individual enterprising farmers (men
and women) who see the potential to diversify the cropping systems and generate additional income.
There is an urgent need for intensive, systematic research to identify sustainable cultivation practices for
optimum production. Success will be enhanced by good research and technology transfer. Collaboration
at the community, national and international levels is essential to the success of the cultivation phase of
the project (hence the proposed Master’s program under Component 1). Activities that need to be
addressed include: crop adaptation, management, integrated pest management, tissue culture, crop
improvement, hybridization, organic farming, post harvest operations, use of treated waste water, salinity
toleration, drought tolerance, water use efficiency and social studies, etc. This background material has
been used when generating this ex-situ sub component.
NCARTT has been chosen as lead agency for the cultivation and demonstration of M/H plants.
NCARTTs experience in herbal (with medicinal value) cultivation started in 1996 with the Initiative to
Combat Desertification. Herbal plants were identified that could contribute to the control of natural
resource degradation, and where applicable, to restore productivity. This involved the identification of insitu species and their ex-situ cultivation by farmers. Research trials and demonstrations were conducted to
test and verify the suitability of cultivation and management practices for the most promising herbal
species. The demonstrations were also used for training and technology transfer purposes. A best-bet
practice package was developed for 6 herb field crops (cumin, black cumin, fenugreeeki, anise, caraway
and fennel). Between 1997/98 to 2001/02 the land under cultivation increased from 4 ha. to 243 ha.,
farmer participation rose from 5 to 19 and average area per crop/farmer increased from 2 to 4ha. No
production figures are available.
NCARTT will be responsible for this sub-component. NCARTT started cultivation trial under rainfed
conditions with various M/H species at their research station at Madaba (Mashaqar). The objective was
and is to demonstrate cost effective and profitable cultivation methods for various high-demand species
that can be grow by farmers as alternative to the traditional grain and fodder crops, etc. It is proposed to
47
expand these demonstrations and trials to six NCARTT research stations, covering different agro-climatic
zones. These are as follows, (Table 2).
Table 2. NCARTT Field Stations for Ex-situ Demonstrations
Station
Masaqar
Maru
Rabba
Ghorsafi
Karma
Khaldean
Zone
Upland
Upland
Upland
Jordan Valley
Jordan Valley
Steep/Desert
Growing
Conditions
Rainfed
Rainfed
Rainfed
Irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation
Soil Type
Alkaline
Alkaline
Alkaline
Saline
Saline
Saline
Comments
Seed multiplication station
Relatively high heat conditions
Relatively high heat conditions
Heat and drought
These stations will act as demonstration sites for surrounding farmers and annual courses will be run each
year on nursery practice and seed multiplication; establishment; tending and protection; harvesting;
storage and production; and business practice. There will be separate courses for trainers and
farmers/other interested parties. In addition farm visits will be organized. NCARTT will also advise the
in-situ sub-component farmers and kitchen garden owners on cultivation tending and harvesting
techniques etc.
The core staff would consist of 3 Agronomists, 1.5 Irrigation Specialists and 1.5 Plant Breeders. These
would be recruited from existing NCARTT staff and would perform other non-project duties. In addition
there would be drivers (including tractor drivers) casual laborers and national consultants. All the six
stations will be provided with vehicles, equipment and materials needed to successfully demonstrate the
cultivation of M/H plants for five years.
Over the course of five years, it is estimated that many M/H species will have been successfully grown at
the stations and out-grown in fields and kitchen gardens. In collaboration with Component 3 training
courses will be given to farmers and community leaders for ex-situ M/H production and in-situ
management etc. and site visits will be made to the six stations and farmers who are growing M/H plants.
Also, individual women are essential resource people if viable cultivation practices are to researched and
implemented. Women have considerable knowledge regarding the sources of wild species, their ecology,
good harvesting practices and use and should be involved at all stages of the development and
implementation process. They have already shown their abilities to utilize micro-credit to establish small
household income generating activities by cultivating high-demand herbal species. Thus, their
participation in all aspects of M/H cultivation is essential to project success and sustainability.
Component 3. Public Awareness and Education.
This component consists of two sub-components connected with environmental education and public
awareness of M/H plants. The first concerns the introduction or expansion of knowledge about M/H
plants in formal and informal education and the second concerns various initiatives related to public
awareness aspects of M/H plants.
48
i.
Environmental Education.
This sub-component will examine how information about M/H plants and their environment can be
included in the formal education curricula of schools and universities and the informal education
programs for communities etc. Consultants will be engaged to look into curricula development and work
closely with the Departments of Education and Higher Education under MOE. Once the curricula is
approved there will be training courses for trainers, who in turn will train teachers. Publications and some
equipment will be prepared for schools, universities and communities and M/H planting materials will be
distributed to schools and communities so that they can raise them in the school garden or at village
centers, etc.
ii.
Public Awareness.
Training. As mentioned above under the ex-situ sub-component, training courses will be given to
farmers, and community leaders on the growing, harvesting and processing of M/H plants and their
products: training will include management of in-situ M/H sites. The role of NGOs especially women’s
NGOs is critical if M/H protection and cultivation is to be implemented, thus NGO’s will be included in
the training program. To facilitate this training, there will be training courses for trainers. Also farm visits
will be arranged throughout the lifetime of the project so that potential and actual growers of M/H plants
can see at first hand these plants being grown and processed. Over the lifetime of the project, at least
1,200 farmers (including women) will have been given training course at the six NCARTT stations, 340
trainers will have been given intensive training courses, 1,800 farmer visits to 60 areas will have been
made and information and materials, especially seeds and planting stock will be made available to fanners
throughout the country.
Publications. To keep farmers, communities, NGOs, the media and other interested parties informed
about the project and to provide them with information, the project will produce pamphlets, posters, press
releases and articles etc. Also video documentaries will be made on all aspects of the project for showing
in community centers and at schools. Information on the project will be made available over the worldwide-web and the project will have a home page that will be updated frequently. For the first two years
there will be one person in charge of publications, but from the third year, as activities increase, another
staff member will be added. There is provision for equipment and materials to enable the publications
department to undertake its work in a professional manner. It is not yet decided where the publications
department will be housed. This may be in an existing government department, or it could be situated in
the PMU.
Component 4. Income Generation.
This component is concerned with income generation and will mainly provide local and national benefits.
But without it, it is doubtful if the protection of globally important medicinal and herbal plants would be
effective, especially in the long run. While most of the money will corn from non-GEF sources, there is a
small GEF intervention. This concerns the growing and use by communities of endangered and rare M/H
plants to relieve the pressure on the wild stock of such plants. This component has eight sub-components.
i. Organic Farming Certification. All collected M/H plants from the wild are grown under natural
conditions without the addition of herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Indeed, the only nutrients
that are added come from those dissolved in the rainfall or are from animal droppings. Again, most if not
all ex-situ production of M/H plants has no application of pesticides or herbicides, but some chemical
fertilizers may have been added, although the application of organic fertilizers is more likely, if fertilizers
are added at all. Thus, products made from M/H plants such as essential oils, spices, herbs and medicines
can be said to be from organically grown products. Such products should command a higher price, both
within Jordan and on the export market. Therefore, one thrust of this component is to examine how
Jordan can certify M/H produces that are organically grown. International consultants will be engaged to
study the certification requirements of the European Union (especially Germany) and the USA, the two
principal markets for organically grown products. A technical committee will first advise the consultants
49
and then determine the steps to take to undertake the certification process, if feasible. It is envisaged that
the technical committee of about 12 people from all interested parties will hold bi-monthly meeting over a
period of 3 years, starting in 2003.
ii.
Standards for Medicinal and Herbal Plants.
In order to enhance the harvested products and semi-processing, there should be uniform standards
concerning collection, cleaning, permissible foreign bodies, grading, packaging and trading. If such
standards are adopted by the growers and the packers, then Jordanian grown M/H plants could be traded
on the national and international markets with a guarantee of quality. National and international
consultants will be appointed to examine this aspect and make recommendations to a technical
committee. This technical committee will comprise about 12 people with representatives from all
interested parties and meet bi-monthly over a 3-year period.
iii.
Processing Standards for M/H Plant Products.
As with the proposed standards for harvested products, there should be standards for manufactured
products from M/H plants. A similar technical committee of about 12 members will be established to
advise on product standards and there will be national and international consultants to examine standards
in Jordan and internationally and make recommendations to the committee. It is envisaged that this
committee will meet bi-monthly for a period of 3 years starting in 2003.
iv.
Quality Control.
In order to maintain the quality of M/H products, especially for essential oils and ingredients for
medicines etc. it is necessary to have an independent laboratory to monitor products and ingredients so
that they conform to the established standards. A national consultant will investigate standards and
recommendations will be made to a technical committee, again composed of about 12 people, meeting bimonthly for a 3-year period, starting in 2004. An independent laboratory, (may be one belonging to a
university) will be furnished with the necessary equipment and consumables so that it will be able to test
products. People submitting samples for testing will have to pay for the service, but the initial capital cost
of equipment plus consumables for 4-years will be provided by a donor or donors. This quality control
laboratory will meet international standards and be in a position to issue certificates for chemical and
products that are in conformity with the set standards.
v.
Product Development
Product development should be an essential part of expanding the market for M/H plants and their
products. Thus, it is proposed to engage national and international consultants to look into all aspects of
product development and to advise a technical committee on the possibilities for developing new products
or enhancing existing ones. The technical committee will comprise about 12 people and meet bi-monthly
for the duration of the project. It will work closely with the other committees especially the one on
marketing, described later. In addition, a delegation of M/H experts from China will visit Jordan in the
summer of 2002, led by a member of the consulting team from USDA. This delegation will examine the
various facets of the M/H industry from the growing of the plants to the manufacture of products. This
could lead to a link being forged between China and Jordan in this field. China has had centuries of
experience of medicinal products from plants.
vi.
Rural Community Cluster Development Program.
The USA has provided the GOJ with a grant of about US$ 7 million to revitalize the economic and social
life of communities. Currently, the Ministry of Planning is seeking applications from qualified
organizations with significant international experience for a cooperative agreement to implement the
Rural Community Cluster Development Program (RCCDP). This program is aimed at promoting citizen
participation in and between communities to identify and address the critical needs for the economic and
50
social revitalization of community life. Specifically, RCCDP working through community and cluster
committees will prioritize, plan and implement projects to revitalize small but essential infrastructure,
create income-generating opportunities; improve health, education and the quality of life; address critical
environmental problems; and promote civic participation. Funds will be allocated to grantees over a
period of 30 months.
The M/H plant project seems an ideal channel to undertake most if not all the goals of the RCCDP.
Already it intends to engage three international qualified organizations in the project, namely the Royal
Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), the Badia Research and Development Program (BRDP)
and the Queen Nour Al-Hussein Foundation (NHF). Other related organizations that could qualify for
funds under the RCCDP and could be incorporated into the project include the Jordanian Society for the
Protection of the Environment (JSPE) and the Jordanian Society to Combat Desertification (JSCD). The
recipients will identify clusters of communities that constitute groupings with natural, social or economic
ties in selected areas in cooperation with the MOPs Project Management Unit for Enhanced Productivity
Program with assistance from USAID/Jordan.
Members of the current consultancy team from USAID have been asked by USAID to go to Jordan in the
near future to advise NGOs how to apply for such funding and how to formulate project proposals and
work plans. Specifically, the team member will target the RSCN, BRDP the NHF and perhaps the JSCD
and the JSPE.
It is envisaged that these organizations will each compile a project covering five village clusters. The
outline of the project proposal could be as follows:
a) Undertake a socio-economic survey of the villages to determine if they are potential candidates
for the RCCDP. This survey will include the use and sale of M/H plants.
b) Identify the most suitable M/H plants for specific agro-climatic zones.
c) Hold community meetings to discuss prospects for M/H plants.
d) Identify potential growers and producers.
e) Determine infrastructure requirements.
f) Establish nurseries to supply M/H plants to individuals and schools.
g) Demonstrate M/H plant establishment, tending and harvesting.
h) Provide equipment through a loan program (irrigation, nursery facilities, etc.).
i) Demonstrate, drying and processing methods.
j) Provide suitable buildings for storage, processing and packaging again through a loan and/or
grant program.
k) Provide market intelligence and organize marketing.
l) Provide business training.
It is estimated that the grant and loan component from the MOP for each cluster would be US$ 540
million over a 30 month period of which US$ 250 million would be a revolving loan fund: the revolving
fund would be reinvested in the village clusters. There would be in-kind inputs by the beneficiaries of
US$ 48,750 spread over the 5-year project lifetime and the government would contribute US$ 6,250 in
kind over the 5-year project lifetime. Because rare and endangered M/H plant species would be grown by
villagers to relieve the pressure on hotspots and reserves, the GEF would contribute US$ 17,500 per
cluster over the last 30 months of the project, to ensure continuity.
Four or five NGOs including the ones already proposed for the project namely RSCN, BRDP and NHF
would apply for funds from the MOP. The total number of village cluster would be 20 and each NGO
would organize 5 clusters. Therefore an additional NGO, perhaps the JSCD or the JSPE would become
part of the project.
It is envisaged that a community/education officer would be added to the personnel of the RSCN, BRDP
and NHF and that a required staff list for the other NGO would have to be compiled. Each village cluster
would have a nursery and, for at least the first 3 years, a nursery manager would be required on site. The
51
project would supply the necessary equipment, but the villagers themselves would be in charge of
drawing up plans and running the activities.
vii.
Market Identification.
An essential part of promoting M/H plants and their products is to have up-to-date market information
and to investigate new markets for M/H products both nationally and internationally. National consultants
will be employed throughout the lifetime of the project to undertake market identification and collect
market information. International consultants will be engaged for the first two years to provide reports on
international opportunities. Also as mentioned above under Product Development, it is hoped to forge
links with the M/H sector in China (and other countries) in order to promote M/H products from Jordan.
A technical committee of 12 people will meet bi-monthly over the lifetime of the project to advise on all
aspects of marketing and market intelligence.
viii. Micro-credit (Revolving Fund).
There will be a revolving fund of US$ 1 million under the Rural Community Cluster Development
Program. This fund would be administrated by cooperative arrangements with on going initiatives that
aim to provide micro-credit to the poor, such as: the Enhanced Productivity Program of the SocioEconomic Development Programme; the King Abdullah II Foundation, USAID AMIR project, or
USAID’s Jordanian-US Business Partnerships. This money will be used by village clusters for the
development of village enterprises. If other funds are obtained then the scope of micro-credit lending
could be expanded beyond the proposed 20 village clusters. After the RCCDP is finished, then it is
assumed that the money in the revolving fund could be lent for other rural activities outside the original
clusters. No funds have been put under this heading, as they are included under RCCDP.
52
Table A: Project Description Summary
Jordan: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
1. Institutional
strengthening
a. Project Management
Unit (PMU) including
administration,
finance, procurement,
technical assistance,
and consultants for
M&E and reporting.
b. Develop regulatory
rules and standards for
production (organic or
traditional) and postharvest treatment.
c. Developing
intellectual property
rights, policy and
guidelines.
d. Establishing
standards, safety,
efficacy testing, etc.
e. Establishing a
national medicinal
plant database and
updating gene bank.
f. Training for students
in the various
technical areas.
Capacity building for
Government.
How
Who
Recruitment of staff, annual
work & procurement plans,
quarterly financial reports,
annual report, annual
project meeting, steering
committee meeting,
monitoring and evaluation,
mid-term review, mid-term
audit, external review at the
project’s end.
Establish inter-sector study
team charged with
identifying what will be
regulated and by whom (for
each plant product).
PMU set up to be
determined, reports by
PMU and technical
teams, audit by
independent firm,
external review (3-person
panel of international
experts.
Build upon existing IPR
framework; create products
through investment in
R&D; establish patent
system; licensing tailored to
specific products that are
developed.
Quality of product,
measurement methods
(seeds cleanliness, foreign
matter, ground herbage,
volatile oil concentration,
indirect methods). Safety.
Establish from existing
software products tailored
to the task (USDA-ARSGRIN), get assistance from
NPGS in USDA-ARS,
transfer existing data,
institute data quality
monitoring system. Update
database and gent bank.
Include monitoring.
Establish criteria, allocate
slots to schools, final
review of topics and
students by project
stakeholders in a
transparent process.
The team is composed of
MOA, MOH,
pharmaceutical industry,
Jordan Ass. Of Growers,
Consumers. They
recommend
implementing agencies.
Legal advisors on patent
law; Ministry of Trade,
Jordan Ass. Of
Manufacturers of
Medicinal and
Pharmaceuticals
Appliances.
Standards for target
species.
NCARTT, USDA-ARS,
ICARDA, cooperating
institutions in Jordan and
the region.
Competitive selection
process with a pool of
topics debated and
determined by
independent review by
the school regulations.
53
When, how long, how
many, how big
Project duration 20032008
Quarterly reports, 31 Mar.,
30 June, 30 Sep., 31 Dec.
Where
PPU: Mushaqer
Station
PMU: TBD
Task force shall identify
the plant products from
the current project and its
pipeline species within the
first year (and as needed
for pipeline species).
Based on each
product a
responsible entity
institution will be
assigned.
Task force shall identify
the plant products from
the current project and its
pipeline species within the
first year (and as needed
for products from pipeline
species).
Open marketing facility in
2004 for sale of medicinal,
spice and essential oil
plants, set up lab in 2004
to ascertain quality and
provide labeling.
10% of existing data in
year 1, testing of system in
year 2, enter remaining
data in year 3, network to
cooperating institutions in
year 4, demonstrate utility
of system in year 5 in final
reports.
Based on each
product a
responsible entity
institution will be
assigned.
For example:
2 MS students in Jordan
@$10k/yr in 2003 and 05,
4 MS students in Jordan
@$10k/yr in 2004, 05 &
06, 2 MS students in
Jordan @ $10/yr in 2007.
Total 60 MS
degrees with 5
UJ, 5 JUST. 5 AlBaqaa and 1
TDB, 50% male,
50% female.
Market facility in
Amman, quality
testing in
government lab.
NCARTT central
computer system
with networking
to sites at
cooperating
institutions.
Include local
knowledge.
2. Community based
support program
a. Three main in-situ
pilot sites established.
Rare and endangered
species recorded and
protected and
demonstrations
organized.
SAFAWI. Outline the
project site activities
and inputs needed for
the PIP.
UPPER SLOPS
The project site
activities and inputs
needed for the Project
Implementation Plan
(PIP).
WADI MUJIB
The project site
activities and input
needed for the PIP.
b. Ex-situ cultivation
trials of M/H plants
established.
Propagation and
cultivation methods
for selected M/H
plants developed
including crop
improvement
techniques and
agronomic practices.
Undertake
demonstrations and
technology transfer.
How
Who
Three main areas run by
three key institutions in
Jordan (HCST/NCARTT/
RSCN) will permit
constructive competition and
comparison of approaches.
Workshops, public
awareness, socio-economic
surveys.
Identify rare/endangered and
potentially profitable species
and establish baseline data
on the state of the particular
M/H plant field and market
situation that can be
monitored through time.
Identify rare/endangered and
potentially profitable species
and establish a baseline
condition that can be
monitored through time.
Teams designed to
work together in groups
that include all
beneficiaries.
Identify rare/endangered and
potentially profitable species
and establish a baseline
condition that can be
monitored through time.
Spread knowledge from
existing producers to other
interested growers and make
the links to pharmaceutical
businesses that are interested
in buying produce under
contract and known
standards of quality.
Establish central M/H
farmers’ market for species
entering the traditional
market.
Promote a seed production
effort that will keep up with
demand as it is generated.
This starts with help from
the project but must be
transferred to the private
sector as soon as possible.
When, how long how
many, how big
Scaled to resources
available and allocated
based on competitive
open, transparent process.
Where
Project zones
specified below.
BRDP and partners in
the target zone.
TBD
Specific sites in
the Eastern Badia
near Safawi TBD.
NHF, MOA/NCARTT
and partners in the
target zone.
TBD
RSCN and partners in
the target zone.
TBD
Teams should be linked
to an agency (TBD) that
will take on the
extension needs of the
project. A trusted
intermediary might be
housed in the pharmaceutical association.
Certification office in
the MOA (TBD).
Focus first on a market
analysis and launch the
effort with the “starting
line-up” of M/H plants in
the project (zatar, cumin,
black cumin, fenugreek,
caraway, sage,
chamomile) followed by
pipeline species.
Agro-biodiversity
sites managed by
farmers in return
for technology
package
arrangements
with cooperating
institutions in the
north (NHF,
NCARTT,
JUST), central
(UJ, NCARTT),
south (NHF,
NCARTT,
RSCN).
Sub-division of
work into the
upper, middle and
lower reaches of
Wadi Mujib.
Across the
country but
coordinated
through the
NCARTT station
at Mushaqer.
JCO (TBD).
54
3. Public Awareness
How
Who
a. Environmental
education. Promote
action-oriented
activities and require a
PR output to
accompany each midyear and annual report.
Programs are generated at
the government and
university level and
transferred through the
appropriate links to
secondary and primary
schools in the project
zones. Concentrate
activities such as school
and community nurseries,
M&E by students and their
teachers with follow-up to
understand how the data are
processed and evaluated.
Site visit to in-situ, ex-situ
and demonstrations.
Exchange visits (farmer to
farmer, regional visits,
etc.). Radio, TV, videos,
newspapers, magazines,
international newspaper,
internet, extension
programs. A strategy is
needed that will focus the
message and make it well
targeted and clear. Informal
environmental education at
the community level.
How
Make link to UNDP Small
Grants Program for a
competitive grants
program in a co-financing
arrangement.
Select a short list of three
models from countries
where organic certification
is working. Modify for
Jordanian conditions and
produce a local certification
system after a trial period to
learn appropriate lessons
for each product.
Depends on the crop but
most certainly would
involve the regulating
agency in Jordan; SEKEM
in Egypt, USDA in the
US, and a model from the
region or Europe
(Germany).
b. M/H plant materials
prepared according to
standards. Processing
ability enhanced,
chemical analysis and
quality control done.
Product development by
communities/private
sector.
For species; a community
and food industry link is
needed for post-harvest
treatment of the product to
improve value, packaging,
longevity, shipping
conditions and inventory
control. For
pharmaceutical
c. Rural community
cluster development
program.
Establish 20 village clusters
to promote the development
of M/H plants and their
products. MOP funding
through USAID.
In combination with
industry champions such
as Kabatillo and the
Jordan Pharmaceutical
Manufacturers. The
system should be “owned”
by the private sector with
the project partners and
government catalyzing
new product development.
RSCN, BRDP, NHF,
JSPE, JSCD.
b. Public awareness
campaigns including
women’s development
implemented.
4. M/H income
generation
a. Certification of
organically grown
produce.
When, how long, how
many, how big
Make available 3 grants
of $10k each year in the
Small Grants Program.
Where
One per study
zone with UNDP
and project
funding.
PMU, project team
leaders, participating
NGOs. Website in Arabic
and English.
The focus should be
project and actionoriented. The public
needs to see what has
been done and with
whom. Those who have
benefited should speak
if they are satisfied,
provide constructive
criticism to improve
delivery and augment
resources to target
groups.
Local, regionally,
internationally by
all stakeholders,
team leaders,
project
participants and
managers.
Who
When, how long, how
many, how big
Focus first on a market
analysis and launch the
effort with the “starting
line-up” of M/H plants
in this project (zatar,
cumin, black cumin,
fenugreek, caraway,
sage, chamomile)
followed by pipeline
species.
As many project ideas
that can bit the market
after creation of a
business plan.
Equipment
requirements.
Where
55
In 20 village clusters.
Five years 3 (0 month
funding)
At least one
model per target
zone (Safawi,
Wadi Mujib, and
upper slopes).
Where needed in
the country.
Throughout
Jordan.
4. M/H income
generation
c. Market identification,
market intelligence,
export opportunities and
building partnerships
with the pharmaceutical
sector.
d. Micro-credit
available to individuals
and communities for
M/H initiatives.
How
M/H market awareness
information must be
developed that keeps track
of the supply and demand
in the international and
national market.
Government market
intelligence should help to
guide policy on which
crops should be promoted.
Link with successful Dead
Sea products etc.
Who
Inter-sector linkages will
be exploited and the
financing of the market
service should be
established as a ‘checkoff’ fund from successful
crops as they are
commercialized. New
ideas must be continually
tested and given assistance
through the grant system
and micro-credit once
concept proof has been
demonstrated.
Business plans will be the
standard for evaluation of
project ideas but the project
must supply assistance to
disadvantaged farmer with
good ideas.
When, how long, how
many, how big
Private sector venture
capitalists should be
alerted to opportunities
as they arise.
Allocation of resources
TBD in the Workshop.
Co-financing to be
sought from the GOJ
and donors.
56
Where
Generated in
Amman and
distributed to
farmers by the
mechanisms
identified under
public awareness.
Annex 5: Summary of Work Undertaken under the PDF-B
JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
Medicinal Plants Socio-Economic Survey Summary
A significant percentage of the Jordanian population use extensively medicinal plants and their products.
An active trade and market in medicinal plant products occurs as a result of the: (i) diversity and richness
of medicinal plants; (ii) spatial distribution of species due to geography, lands use and climate; (iii)
concentrations of consumer demand in the urban centers of Amman, Irbid and Zarqa.; (iv) active
collection by rural women for home and livestock use and additional income; and (v) a mixture of socioeconomic factors, including cultural, that sustain and motivate demand for indigenous healthcare
products.
Trade and marketing records while being maintained by traders, vendors and commercial outlets were not
easily accessible in such a preliminary survey. Many individuals expressed concern over the increasing
difficulty in obtaining certain products and rising costs. They were willing to provide information,
however, such information could not be officially verified because government statistics on such trade
and marketing are far from complete. Between 1994-2000, imports of medicinal plants and herbs were
dominated by turmeric, oregano and anise. Total imports in 2000 were 2.7mt with a value of l,224,758JD
and of aromatic oils 102,885 mt worth 404,255 JD. Exports of medicinal, herbal and aromatic plants were
l,l28,277mt worth 492,345JD (DOS, External Trade Bulletin, 2001). Jordan imported three times what it
exported at considerable cost.
Of the 217 surveyed respondents 155 were retailers, 3 wholesalers, 27 wholesale and retailing; 12
retailing and processing. The remainder carried a combination of activities including: importing,
exporting, wholesaling, retailing, and processing.
Wholesale
The medicinal plant market is characterized by the existence of several market segments that include
direct consumers and/or patients, indigenous healers, small traders, pharmaceutical companies and
exporters with the first three presently dominating the market. Stores that sell medicinal plants and herbal
products are concentrated in Amman (36%), Zarqa (13%), Maa’n (11%), Irbid (8%), and Karak (6%).
More than 85% of stores are in urban centers, the remaining in rural areas. The conclusion being that rural
residents must rely on availability of wild or home-grown plant-based sources of healthcare needs.
Medicinal plant products are traded primarily in raw form or with limited processing, and with virtually
no control regarding quality or safety. Some products are packed using different types of packing
materials with different weights. While the processing and packaging may not be in a sophisticated
manner, the specific use and mixing of different plant parts for particular treatments is common. Sixtyfive percent of shop traders sell medicinal plants unpacked, 12% packed and the remainder (22%) sell
both packed and unpacked depending on type of plants and purchaser preference. The major initial
delivery points of fresh plant materials in Jordan are the three wholesale markets in Amman, Zarqa and
Irbid. The majority of products are marketed in the three centers. Some collectors’ and farmers’ products
are consigned to commission agents in the wholesale markets who sell the products to buyers on the
behalf of collectors and farmers. Obtaining detailed and reliable information about the percentage of
products passing through every market channel was not possible. Future surveys need to establish close
relationships with wholesalers to be sure they obtain reliable data. Nevertheless, it is believed that 7080% of all fresh medicinal plant materials pass through the wholesale markets, while the remainder go
through other channels.
57
Two-fifths of medicinal plants and products at the retail level are sold by only four retailers: one half by
the largest eight and about 60% by the largest twelve firms. Many economists would classify’ this
situation as “high” economic concentration, indicating a potential for monopolistic pricing. This situation
of high concentration occurs in most countries. For instance four wholesalers dominate trade of medicinal
plants in Albania, twenty-one in Germany and ten in Bulgaria.
Retail
At least ninety-seven medicinal plants and herbs are traded and consumed in Jordan. They are sold in the
form of seed, leaves (fresh or dry), stems, bark, roots, bulbsIcormsIrhizomes, and extracts. Mountain
knot-grass is the only medicinal plant where all parts are m demand. Raw plant materials are frequently
bought by consumers who will grind them at home following instructions given by the trader or healer.
Based on interviewers with retailers it is estimated that 2,973mt of plants and products are sold annually.
Oregano (raw or processed) dominates the market at 770mt, followed by fenugreek, chamomile, sage,
coriander, turmeric, anise, sommak, parsley and jargeer. The retail sales volume of these top ten plants
represents an estimated 80% of the total retail volume of ninety-seven medicinal plants in Jordan.
Medicinal plants and/or their products obtained in across the counter sales are in many forms. They
include: infusions; concentrates; inhalants; powders; poultices; and whole seeds for planting or extracts.
About one third of retailers carry out some form of processing that may include: washing; screening;
chopping; drying; grinding; distilling; peeling, mixing; grading; and packaging. Most retailers carry out
some form of packaging, an indication of the increasing demand by the consumer for more hygienic
products.
The level of consumption by consumers for the major products while generally steady throughout the year
does have a peak in demand during the winter season for winter-related infections and ailments. The
demand for chest, nasal, and common cold related medicines such as oregano, chamomile, anise, herbaalba and yarrow increases substantially during winter months (December and January). The demand for
henna, a coloring agent as well as a medicinal, increases during the summer months, which is usually the
time for marriages.
Sources of Supply
The vast majority of medicinal plants and herbs traded and retailed in Jordan are harvested from wild
populations, with insignificant cultivation taking place except for a few products e.g. oregano, sage, anise
and chamomile. These products are harvested within Jordan and from the border areas of neighboring
countries such as Syria, Iraq and Palestine. The supply of high-demand value plants has declined in recent
years leading to concerns within the industry and conservation agencies. Sixty-three medicinal and herbs
plants are being collected between the five surveyed sites: Shaubak 49 plants by 13 collectors; Mujib 42
and 10; Wadi Araba 12 and 10; Safawi 28 and 10; and Ajloun 28 and 9. The high-demand species
include: oregano, thyme, chamomile, sage, herba-alba, yarrow, mountain knotgrass, and mints. Volumes
for individual species were not available.
58
Table. Average Selling Price of High-Demand Medicinal and Herbs Plants in Surveyed Sites
Medicinal Plants
oregano
sage
chamomile
herba-alba
yarrow
arum
raqeta
enab
mountain knotgrass
thyme
besom
mustard
colocynth
arena
halblob
showemra
No. of Respondents
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Avg. Selling Price JD/kg
1.0
0.8
0.9
0.7
0.7
1.9
1.9
1.0
1.0
0.7
0.8
1.0
0.6
0.6
1.0
7.0
Collectors of medicinal and herbal plants and/or their parts from the wild are mainly rural women. Their
knowledge is related to use both for human and livestock needs in their role as sheep and goat herders.
The most favorable harvesting period is spring time. Some people have accused them of being them of
depleting the source of supply. This is debatable as the plants are not only a source of free healthcare, but
a supplementary income. Any medicinal plant cultivation project needs to seek the knowledge of such
women regarding ecology, optimal harvesting time(s), uses and product quality.
Popular species, which are available in declining quantities in rural areas, now are being more heavily
harvested from the few public forests and other protected areas. Harvesting takes place without the
permission of the landowners or local authorities. Women in rural communities report an increase in visits
by urban collectors and buyers during the spring months which has led to a further decline in the
medicinal plant resource-base. At present, commercial production is limited to women who have received
financial assistance and training from the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation, the Hashemite Fund and other
conservation agencies that promote cultivation by women. Medicinal and herbal plants commonly grown
by rural women in home gardens include: sage and oregano. However, at this time production is low, but
the women are gaining knowledge and can be a valuable source of supply for future needs. A planned
production strategy needs to be identified for the women to commit themselves to expanding their
cultivation holdings.
Cultivation in the vicinity of surveyed sites takes place on only twenty-eight farms. Sage is the only plant
cultivated, usually in small areas (10-100 square meters) with only one farm exceeding one dunum.
Commercial production is minimal at present, but increasing to supply mainly local markets. Production
is focused on supplying fresh or dried oregano, sage and mints, as well as anise seeds. To date production
has not focused on high-value plants for pharmaceutical companies or foreign markets. The demand for
natural products and supplements in Europe and North America offers many opportunities for Jordan to
establish itself as producer of such high-demand quality products. Sales in Europe exceeded US$3 billion
and in the US$26 billion in 2000. The EU-Jordan agreement signed May 2, 2002 offers Jordan an
opportunity to compete more effectively in the European market. Between 1992-96 European imports
were on average 70,000 mt per year. Jordan is well suited to expand its present production of oregano,
59
anise, cumin, fennel, turmeric and aromatic mint oils, and develop a sustainable industry that provides for
its own needs and a growing international demand. However, there are a number of problems that first
need to be resolved.
The Future
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is of concern regarding the future growth of the medicinal
and herb plant business. During the past decade Jordan has started to amend and modernize its copyright
law. IPR protection is considered a necessary component of domestic policy and critical in attracting
foreign investment. As a member of WTO Jordan was required to bring its IPR legislation in line with
international standards and treaties. However, further research is required on implications for biodiversity
and human rights.
There is potential for commercial expansion building on cooperation with collectors and small farmers.
However, there are several problems and constraints. For example, institutional constraints are linked to
an absence of a strong interest by public and private sector companies, agencies and institutions regarding
a strategy for converting the medicinal and herbal plant business into a sustainable one. Marketing
problems are linked to an absence of regulations relating to grading, standards, safety, efficacy,
formulation, dosage and packaging. Production problems include inconsistency of supply, both regarding
quality and quantity. Declining populations of several high-value wild species germplasm limit product
development opportunities. Inadequate agricultural extension and training services limit quality
production.
Based on the socio-economic analysis a number of recommendations where made. They include:

Establishing a supportive, consistent, positive policy and regulatory enabling environment.

Providing incentives for promoting medicinal and herb plant production.

Developing a market-oriented production strategy.

Supporting public and private sector research programs to support market-oriented production.

Setting-up an efficient marketing structure and infrastructure.

Harmonizing government policies in related sectors.

Establishing a monitoring and evaluation system to assess activities and measure impact on the
ability of Jordan to conserve, manage and sustainably utilize its medicinal and herbal plant
resources.
Inventory of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Summary
The inventory provides an indication of the number and diversity of medicinal plant species in the four
different bio-geographical zones: Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanian. These
zones play a major role in supporting the different types of biodiversity. The five study locations had
representative examples of ten of the recognized thirteen vegetation systems identified in Jordan. In
addition, the inventory provided baseline information for conservation, management and sustainable use
of such plant genetic resources. A total of 900 plant species were recorded of which 94 were identified as
of medicinal value. Sixty-four were common, three endangered, five rare, eight decreasing, one endemic,
one extinct, and twelve introduced. Special emphasis was placed on the knowledge of, and role that
women play in conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal plants for human and
livestock health needs.
The Ajloun Woodland Reserve was established in 1988 with a surface area of 12km2 that supports
Evergreen Oak Forest and agricultural lands under grains and fruit tree cultivation. Diversity is low due to
being only one vegetation type. Only 172 plant species have been recorded, 26 species are of medicinal
value. Most medicinal species are classified as common; while 4 are decreasing in occurrence and one is
60
rare. Spring is the main season for harvesting/collecting medicinal plants; however many plants are
quickly sold as storage facilities are generally lacking.
Within the communities that have access to the reserve it is the older women “Hajat” who collect and are
the most knowledgeable regarding the use of plants for health care. Such women traditionally farm,
cultivate, harvest plants and take care of livestock on family lands. Respondents identified 47 plants used
to treat various ailments and infections. “What we do not see, we do not treat”. A list of infections treated
within five sites is at the end of this document. Treatments are divided along gender lines. Two plants are
used to treat livestock health needs.
Until recently the majority of plants used for treatments were in abundance. Consequently few attempts
were made to cultivate, either intercropped in home gardens or on private lands. Information was difficult
to obtain as use is generally considered the secret of the old women “Hajat”. Some women have been
encouraged by increasing demands for medicinal plants and have started their own business as herbalists.
Excessive collecting has resulted in the scarcity of Matricaria aurea, Majorana syrica and disappearance
of Salvia triloba Crocus sativus not previously known in Jordan is being used by one woman. She was
completely unaware of its medicinal or economic value.
.
Most of the plants used in Ajloun are well-known, safe medicinal herbs. More than 90% of people use
Achillea, Matricaria and Majorana in their traditional medicine. Preparation for internal use is mainly
decoction or infusion. For external use decoctions are prepared in olive oil.
The Safawi/Azraq Study Area is in the north eastern part of the country and lies within the SaharoArabian zone characterized by low rainfall. Plant species recorded in Safawi are considered high for a
desert area 225 species. All can withstand drought and high temperatures, some are salt-tolerant,
especially those in the Qa areas. There were 31 medicinal plants identified, most are common, while 4 are
rare, 1 endangered and 1 decreasing in occurrence. The Bedouin are one of three communities accessing
the study area. They gather their plants as they graze their livestock and draw on indigenous knowledge
and use of herbs for human and livestock healing purposes. Four species are used for treating livestock
ailments.
—
Home gardens are common among inhabitants at Azraq. Some medicinal plants are becoming difficult to
find. Various plants are reported either as rare or extinct such as Rheum palaestinum (endemic),
Foeniculum vulgare and Salvia triloba. This is due to excessive collection, overgrazing and drought.
Traditional health care treatments are common, so that virtually every household collects and stores its
needs for the year each Spring. Many treatments are offered in the form of herbal tea.
Methods of preparation, both internal and external, are similar to those in Ajloun. Human fertility,
especially in men is of great importance. Eruca sativa is widely used for the treatment of impotency.
The Mujib Nature Reserve is located in the central highlands and the southern Jordan Valley. Its western
boundary lies on the Dead Sea the lowest depression on earth at 400 m and rises to 900 m in the eastern
part. The reserve covers approximately 212km2, and contains a rich biodiversity and density of species,
which is attributed to its unique position. It is located in two bio-geographical zones: Irano-Turanian and
Sudanian. Four different vegetation types can be found in the Reserve ranging from shrub and bush
Steppe in mid to upper areas, water vegetation along wadis and springs, saline vegetation along the Dead
Sea, and tropical vegetation in the southern region.
-
A number of communities surround and impact the Reserve. Human activities are limited depending on
the reserve management plan. Grazing is one of the main land use activities, however it is confined to
61
small areas on the eastern parts of the reserve and is limited to two months in winter and two in summer.
Agricultural activities occur around villages in the eastern part.
The presence of two bio-geographical zones and four vegetation types has resulted in a high plant
diversity. Around 400 plant species have been identified in the area. Sixty- three medicinal plant species
have been identified of which 17 are considered to be rare, endangered or at least decreasing in
availability. The indigenous population is primarily Bedouin who have settled and become farmers. They
have maintained their oral traditions of their experiences as livestock herders. They have provided other
local people with various herbal medicines and view healthcare holistically. “What benefits animals
benefits man and vice versa”. As herders they observe all plant species and use them for various ailments
and infections. Women are viewed as the sole source of knowledge on the use of plants and their
knowledge is viewed as a heritage and community property. Their oral history is of cultural significance
and would benefit from documentation.
Women are the primary gathers of medicinal plants. They are gathered during the spring. Herbs are dried,
grounded and stored in dry places in the home. Treatment is mostly free. Methods of internal and external
preparation are similar to the other areas described. Inhabitants depend primarily on local plants for
treatment and rarely obtain plants from herbalists in the cities. This is due to their faith in traditional
medicine. There is a shortage of several species. They include: Matricaria aurea, Chrysanthemum
coronarium, Melilotus indicus and Foeniculum vulgare, and shortage is attributed to the recent drought.
The Feinan/Wadi Araba Study Area is an area covering about 302km2 and is considered part of the Rift
Valley in Jordan. The site lies within the Sudanian bio-geographical zone and has three vegetation types:
Acacia and Sudanian Rocky; Steppe with shrubs, and bushes and sand dune also with shrubs, bushes and
xerophytes.
Ten different Bedouins groups use the area and most own livestock, consisting mainly of goats. The area
is one of the areas that are facing one of the greatest grazing pressures in the country. Some cooperative
groups now work in agriculture, although there is a dependence upon pumped water. Nomads have
inhabited the area for generations and lived through selling their livestock to maintain a subsistence
lifestyle. They move down from the plateau in winter and return in summer. The community has lost its
women healers “Hajat” who have not passed on their knowledge to younger generations. The decrease in
livestock has also contributed to this loss of medicinal plant knowledge.
Forty-two herbs are used for medicinal purposes, three are classified as rare and one, Senecio vernalis is
decreasing in abundance. Most of the plants that are being used are collected at higher elevations,
possibly by shepherds or during seasonal movements by the Bedouins. Women still remain the primary
collectors and users of medicinal plants particularly for the treatment of their children.
Very primitive methods for drug preparation persist. Internal use is by decoction while external is direct
application and decoction. Healers rely heavily on plants that secrete latex for skin infections.
The Shaubak Study Area is located in the south of Jordan and characterized by a series of mountains
ranging in elevation between 900-600 m. The study area is 258km2, and dominated by very steep slopes.
The area lies within two bio-geographical zones: Mediterranean, which has the highest rainfall, the most
fertile soils and richest vegetation dominated by Juniperinus phoencia and Quercus calliprinos forests,
and Irano-Turanian with low rainfall, poor soils and shrubs and bushes.
There are three settlements nearby. Their land use activities include agriculture, livestock grazing and
tourism. The area is rapidly expanding toward intensive cropping of apples for export. The Shaubak
62
community have attempted to plant medicinal plants and herbs in their gardens, however indigenous
knowledge of their use appears to be disappearing rapidly and being replaced by modern medicine.
To date only 40 medicinal plant species have been identified, a relatively low number when compared to
the total number of plant species (380) recorded in previous studies. One species is classified as
endangered, 3 as rare, and 1 decreasing in abundance. Four species were identified as being in short
supply during the past three years. They include: Matricaria aurea, Rheum palaestinum, Daphne
linearifolia and Pistacia atlantica. Only 20 species are frequently used which in a sense signifies the
abandonment of traditional healing practices due to urbanization.
A review of ailments and infections treated by medicinal plants shows that categories are similar between
the five sites.
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Ailment/Infection
Gastritis/ulcers/nausea/indigestion/parasitic infections
Constipation
Diarrhoea/dehydration
Skin infections/allergy
Eye infections
Headache
Toothache
Wounds and cuts
Rheumatoid
Jaundice
Acne
Diabetes
Respiratory infections/asthma
High blood pressure
Pre and post delivery complications
Vaginal infections
Contraception
Increase of breast milk
External ear infections
Patients
Adults and children
Adults and children
Adults and children
Adults and children
Children
Adults
Adults and children
Adults and children
Adults
Children
Women
Adults
Adults and children
Adults
Women
Women
Women
Women
Adults and children
Clearly, where practiced traditional healthcare is dominated by women “Hajat”. Whereas the traditional
knowledge is alive and well in some communities it is slowly disappearing one. Bedouin communities
indicate an increase in their use of medicinal plants because of their close contact with their environment
and remoteness of government health clinics. Healers see themselves as owners of precious knowledge
and perceive modern medicine as incapable of providing comfort to people. Such skepticism resembles a
similar view among allopathic biomedical practitioners regarding herbal medicine. Child healthcare
receives considerable attention from mothers and healers. Most herbs are believed to have prevention
properties as well as therapeutic ones.
Interviews revealed a change in collecting patterns. Some herbs have either disappeared or become scarce
due to drought, while others are being collected by urban herbalists to be sold in urban centers. Reports of
collectors cutting away roots to sell for a higher price in Irbid were common. The community lacks the
means of preventing such actions. Communities in all five sites identified shortages of high-demand
plants, in many cases the same plants. Some that still classified as common could in the near future be
considered endangered.
63
Nine species are considered at risk with limited abundance (Matricaria aurea, Salvia triloba, Artemisia
judaica, Arum dioscorides, A. hygrophyllum, Pergularia tornentosa, Majorana syriaca, Crocus sativa,
Rheum palaestinum). Nineteen species were considered to be still abundant and popular species and not
threatened or at risk. Although it is difficult to quantify the level and exact demand at this time, the
demand is subject to increase as the population increases. Future shortages are inevitable as outside
collectors join local users. Efforts are needed to alert local users of their need to be part of conservation
and management resources team if plants are to be available in the future.
As the optimal time for collection is spring efforts are needed to identify management and cultivation
practices that allow for additional harvesting times. In addition, new harvesting and storage techniques
appropriate to local conditions and cultural concerns need to be determined in collaboration with users.
Scientific validation of effective traditional remedies would help give credibility to Jordan’s traditional
medicine cultural heritage.
Recommendations include:
 More in-situ conservation and management programs for medicinal plant species including the
identification of priority species and habitats e.g. “hot spots”.
 Programs that directly work with communities and knowledgeable healers.
 Document and protect indigenous health knowledge (IPR).
 Integrate with national land use planning.
 Develop alternative sources of supply through cultivation.
 Establish a medicinal plant Botanical Garden and field gene bank.
 Promote sustainable collection guidelines.
 Strengthen and enforce legislation and conventions.
 Increase public awareness and prepare education programs extolling the value of natural
resource conservation and indigenous knowledge.
 Prepare a monograph of Jordan’s medicinal plants.
Medicinal and Herbal Plant Cultivation Summary
The assessment of medicinal and herbal plant cultivation focused on identifying such species that could
be grown successfully under rainfed and irrigated production systems. For the most part the survey
focused on high-demand spice and food crops. As many of these plants also have medicinal value, albeit
limited at times. Such focus offers an opportunity to consider problems likely to be encountered in the
production of threatened medicinal plant species. Consideration was given to ex-situ cultivation of the
latter adjacent to the reserve sites by local communities, as well as the former by farmers, commercial
growers and the pharmaceutical industry.
Jordan recently became a member of the WTO and signed the Free Trade Agreement with SUA and the
EU-Jordan Partnership Agreement. This situation creates new challenges for agricultural products, which
need to compete with the products of other countries in the region and international markets. This could
be achieved by selecting crops in high demand that have a comparative advantage.
Jordan has limited agricultural land resources (5.7% of total area), most of it being rainfed which in most
years is low and highly variable from season to season, between months within the season and year to
year. Moreover, rainfed agriculture production suffers due to the size of small-holdings which constrain
expanded and/or intensified cultivation and crop mechanization.
Cultivated M/H crops may be grouped accordingly:
1. plants grown as vegetable crops and consumed raw in salads or cooked; and
2. plants cultivated for use in food and drinks as condiments, spices, flavoring agents, beverages and
to a lesser extent as medicine.
64
In the majority of examples given below medicinal plants play a limited role at this time, however
opportunities for their cultivation are presented.
When considering the cultivation of M/H plants in rainfed areas certain issues need to be considered.
They include: drought tolerance; practices that conserve water; appropriate water harvesting techniques;
and comparative advantage of introduced crops over prevailing crops in terms of their productivity and
economic return. Irrigation, while not the most cost-effective of cultivation systems, offers an alternative
to rainfed where there is a high return to farmers and commercial growers from the introduction of highdemand M/H plants.
Commercial cultivation of M/H plants is a recent practice, although many rural households always have
maintained home gardens. Cultivation has attempted to supply the demands of vendors, traders and users
in urban centers. With increasing demand the initial sources of supply are unable to satisfy demand. Three
groups and institutions are engaged in M/H cultivation.
The Noor Al-Hussein Foundation (NHF), targets women at the household level, was established in 1985
in cooperation with the General Federation of Jordanian Women (GFJW) in Irbid. Its primary objective
being to enable women to use home gardens and exploit abandoned lands into market gardens for
aromatic and medicinal plants including oregano, sage, and chamomile. In 1989, the Medicinal Herbs
Agri-Enterprises Project was established to train women how to cultivate, harvest, process, package and
market their herbs. A micro-credit program provides the financial means (at low interest) for women to
establish such home enterprises. To date six villages are participating where 350 women have received
technical training and in which 1800 have indirectly benefited.
NCARTTs experience in herbal (with medicinal value) cultivation started in 1996 with the Initiative to
Combat Desertification. Herbal plants were identified that could contribute to the control of natural
resource degradation, and where applicable, to restore productivity. This involved the identification of insitu species and their ex-situ cultivation by farmers. Research trials and demonstrations were conducted to
test and verify the suitability of cultivation and management practices for the most promising herbal
species. The demonstrations were also used for training and technology transfer purposes. A best-bet
practice package was developed for 6 herb field crops (cumin, black cumin, anise, caraway and fennel).
Between 1997/98 to 2001/02 the land under cultivation increased from 4ha to 243 ha, farmer participation
rose from 5 to 19 and average area per crop/farmer increased from 2 to 4ha. No production figures are
available.
Farmers’ experience is based on interviews with 52 farmers (49 men and 11 women) in six governorates
(Irbid, Mafraq and Ajloun in the north; Amman and Mabada in the center; and Karak in the south). The
majority of farmers who cultivate herbal plants are concentrated in libid (29%), Amman (27%) and Karak
(19%) all areas that receive high rainfall, have irrigation sources and active farming communities. These
three areas benefit from the NHF and the Hashemite Fund for Social Development (HFSD). The majority
of farmers own their land, although 50% farm less than 0.2ha. The area devoted to herbal plants ranging
from 0.1 ha to more than 5 ha. Herbal production represents a major source of income for 40% of farming
families, and 60% as a secondary income source. The farmers (85%) maintained that cultivation of herbal
plants is economically feasible and 70% were willing to increase production. It is assumed that farmers, if
given proof, would also be interested in cultivating medicinal plants
The number of herbal plants currently being cultivated is relatively small. In 2000 7 crops were cultivated
on 337 ha with garlic occupying 50% of the land and parsley 39%. Plants cultivated for their medicinal
and herbal properties are also relatively small -10. Both categories rely primarily on irrigation. In low
rainfall areas water harvesting offers opportunities for cultivation and added income. (EU supported
study) Herbal species (e.g. oregano, sage and mint) with high water requirements that cannot be met by
65
rainfall alone and plants (e.g. medicinal) adapted to marginal, low rainfall areas would benefit from water
harvesting.
A number of M/H species present in Jordan, but under commercial production in other countries, could be
commercially cultivated. Some of these are wild.
M/H plant species indigenous to Jordan that have cultivation potential may be grouped into three
categories: trees; shrubs; and annual/perennial herbaceous species.
Tree species are adapted to a range of mountainous and wadi areas where rainfall is sufficient. The
medicinal properties of the trees have not been fully exploited, even though local people collect parts
(bark, root, leaves, fruit, seed) for healthcare needs, or as dyes and culinary purposes. Reintroducing them
in all parts of their natural habitat(s) will help combat land degradation processes (wind and water
erosion). Ceratonia siliqua, Moringa peregrina, Salvadora persica, and Zizpuhus spina-christi are trees
that should be considered because of tolerance to drought conditions.
Shrubs are generally well adapted to the drier areas, those receiving less than 200mm annually. As most
economically important commercial crops cannot be grown under such conditions without irrigation
medicinal shrubs are good candidates for cultivation trials. Achillea fragrantissima, Aihaji maurorum,
Capparis spinosa, Cassia acutWolia, Lavendula officinalis, Myrtus communis, Teucrium polium, and
Peganum harmala are four commonly collected species with medicinal properties. P. harmala is not
palatable to animals, it is widely distributed in the desert and steppe regions. It is drought tolerant and can
grow in a number of dry habitats.
Annual and perennial herbs contain many plant species that have medicinal properties and lend
themselves to cultivation. They include the following that are also identified in the M/H inventory: Ammi
visnaga, Anchusa strigosa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Citrullis colocynthis, Ecballium elaterium, Gundelia
tournefortii, Paronychia argand impoentea, Pergularia tomentosa, Ruta chalepensis, Teucrium polium,
Urginea maritima, and Urtica pilulifera. Most of these species could be cultivated under a range of
environmental conditions. Citrullis colocynthis tolerates high temperatures, salinity and low soil pH and
could cultivated on marginal lands. Capsella bursa-pastoris could do well in poor soils - stony, shallow.
Urtica pilulifera can be grown in high moisture soils, humid shaded areas. Cultivation potential of
Gundelia tournefortii is presently on-going regarding management properties.
Target areas for cultivation trials with emphasis on rainfed sites include: the sub-tropical environments of
the Jordan Valley slopes and the temperate highlands. High rainfall areas with land slopes less than 9%
are deemed more suitable for annual species cultivation. High rainfall areas with slopes less than 9% for
trees and shrubs, drier areas receiving low rainfall and where water harvesting favors trees and
herbaceous species.
Monographs for seventy six species are included identifying botanical description, ecology, distribution,
biodiversity status, chemical constituents, parts collected, medicinal and herb usage, cultivation,
propagation, general comments.
66
Conclusions and Recommendations
The pharmaceutical and essential oil properties of the M/H plants are important for industrial purposes
and marketing. Cultivation practices including: planting and harvesting times, intra- and inter-specific
competition, light shade, moisture, etc. can affect such properties. Little work to date has been carried out
in Jordan on this subject, however information is available in the literature from other countries.
Information is provided in the study document regarding agronomy, irrigation, fertilizer and light
requirements for selected M/H plant species.
Research and technology transfer needs are considerable. At present it is restricted to the Ministry of
Agriculture through NCARTT, NHF and individual enterprising farmers (men and women) who see the
potential to diversify the cropping systems and generate additional income. There is an urgent need for
intensive, systematic research to identify sustainable cultivation practices for optimum production.
Success will be enhanced by good research and technology transfer. Collaboration at the community,
national and international levels will be essential to the success of the cultivation phase of the project.
Activities that need to be addressed include: crop adaptation, management, integrated pest management,
tissue culture, crop improvement, hybridization, organic farming, post harvest operations, use of treated
waste water, salinity toleration, drought tolerance, water use efficiency, etc.
In order for the public and private sectors to effectively play their roles in this activity there is a need for
adequate infrastructure and qualified human resources. NCARTT will lead the way with its network of
regional research stations, and with considerable support from the University Faculties of Agriculture.
Specific activities related to medicinal plants will require consultation and interaction with international
institutes and researchers particularly in the areas of: genebank establishment, seed and seedlings
propagation, applied research, etc.
While the area planted to M/H plants is small (>340 ha) and under irrigation there are opportunities for
rainfed and irrigation cultivation. At present, Jordan imports large quantities of M/H plants in dry form as
seeds, leaves, roots and rhizomes. It is concluded that these quantities can be produced locally, if
sustainable cultivation practices can be implemented. A recent study concluded that approximately 1200
ha would be required to produce the eight high-demand consumed herbal crops. Such an area can be
provided through efficient use of rainfed lands and water harvesting. The potential for intercropping with
already established crops offers opportunities for better land use, management and income generation.
Water use needs to be critically examined and evaluated if production is to be sustained.
The role of women is essential if viable cultivation practices are to researched and implemented. Women
have considerable knowledge regarding the sources of wild species, their ecology, good harvesting
practices and use and should be involved at all stages of the development and implementation process.
They have already shown their abilities to utilize micro-credit to establish small household income
generating activities by cultivating high-demand herbal species. Their participation in all aspects of M/H
cultivation is essential to project success and sustainability.
67
Annex 6: Global Importance of Medicinal and Herbal Plants
JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
Jordan’s unique geographical location results in a diversity of climate, geology and topography. There are
four different bio-geographical zones: Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanian.
Within these diverse zones there are 13 different vegetation types each with many different floral and
faunal elements. For the medicinal plant inventory five sites were selected representing the four biogeographic zones and 10 of the vegetation types. The estimated area of the sites is 1460 km2, 1.5% of
Jordan’s total land mass.
Under the proposed project two types of area are considered: nature reserves and “hot spots”. Both are
being increasingly impacted by local residents and urban collectors of medicinal and herbal plants. There
are an estimated 2500 plant species in Jordan (2.5% endemic) of which 485 species are categorized as
medicinal. Under the PDF-B Grant five study sites were inventoried and 900 species were identified (36%
of the floral), of which 94 were medicinal (19% of the medicinal flora). Of this number 65 species are
readily found (common), three endangered, five rare, eight decreasing in abundance and one species
endemic and rare (Rheum palaestinum). Twelve species were identified as introduced, however the locals
depend mainly on native species for health needs.
In the inventory, fifteen species present in one or more of the five sites were considered at risk. In
particular, Matricaria aurea (decreasing) and Rheum palaestinum (endemic and rare) were considered at
greatest risk because of their high demand at four or more sites (Table 1). An additional three species
were classified as endangered: Mentha longifolia, Moringa peregrina, Salvadora persica. None of these
species were found in the RSCN study sites. It is believed that many decreasing species will be
endangered if collecting pressure and habitat degradation continue unregulated It is believed that many
decreasing species will be endangered if collecting pressure and habitat degradation continues
unregulated e.g. Nasturtium officinale, and different Arum species (A.paIaestinum, A.dioscorides and
A.hygrophyllum).
,
Table 1. Limited distribution and abundance of medicinal plant species at risk
Species
Matricaria aurea
Salvia triloba
Artemisia judaica
Arum dioscorides
Arum hygrophyllum
Pergularia tomentosa
Majorana syriaca
Crocus sativa
Rheum palaestinum
Foeniculum vulgare
Chryanthemurn coronariurn
Ajloun
D/+
Safawi
D/+/S
Mujib
D/+
R/+
Wadi Araba Shaubak
D/+/S
D/+/S
R/+
D/+
D/+
D/+/S
(+/?)
R/+/S
R/+/S
R/+
R/+/S
R/+/S
R/+
D/+
D/+
R/+/S
R/+/S
Senecio vernalis
Daphne linearifocia
Pistacia atlantica
1
2
1
1
1
3
1
4
2
1
S/+
1
+/S
+/S
D - decreasing; R - rare; S - shortage; + - local use; ? - unknown in region but use identified, F - frequency
68
5
1
+/S
Melilotus indicus
F
1
1
Crocus sativa had not been confirmed in Jordan until the inventory, but was frequently mentioned in
Ajloun. Samples of C. sativa collected and stored in the home by an elderly woman confirmed its
presence and use.
Limited distribution at one site might not necessarily imply high risk. However, if local people who know
the sources, collect such plants, and rely on them for free health care needs report increasing difficulty in
finding them then their future sustainability should be considered at risk. Their loss as a component of
Jordan’s biodiversity must be considered of global significance. For example, the Aleppo Pine Forest
reaches its southern limit in Jordan. The loss of forest co-habitants can have a detrimental affect on the
forest itself. Therefore species management strategies that regulate harvesting should be an important
component of Aleppo Pine conservation. Salvadora persica, a high-demand species with teeth cleaning
properties is at its northern limit at Fifa near the southern end of the Dead Sea. Simultaneously, the
increasing demand on other medicinal plant species in other vegetation types means that any actions taken
to manage harvesting and/or seek alternative means of production (cultivation) would help to preserve
Jordan’s medicinal plant biodiversity.
A visit to the Noor Al Hussein Foundation (NHF) Quality of Life project at village of Um Qais, Irbid
Governerate afforded an opportunity to hear from an elderly woman of commonly used high demand
medicinal plants that are increasingly difficult to find. The project’s field supervisor visited two other
villages to obtain from knowledgeable women what medicinal plants they were having difficulty finding.
Table 2 lists such plants and compares the listing with RSCN’s inventory.
Table 2. Medicinal plant species collected by women for home healthcare needs
Species
Matricaria aurea
Paronychia argentea
Peganum harmala
Malabaila secacul
Gundelia tourneforti
Retama raetam
Malva sylvestrus
Urtica pilulifera
Salvia hierosolimitana
Cyclamen persicum
Arum discorides
Crambe orientalis
Thymus capitata
Achillea membranacea
Foeniculum vulgare
Globuhania arabica
Um Qais
D
C
C
NI
NI
C
NI
C+
NI
E
NI
NI
NI
NI
R
NI
Libb
+
+
+
+
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+
+
+
+/S
+
+
+
+/S
Al Amir
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+
+
±
+
+
+
+/S
+
+/S
+/S
S
+
+
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+
Frequency
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
3
2
3
2
3
NI/+— not included in RSCN inventory; C — common; D — decreasing; E — endangered; R — rare. S - shortage
Matricaria aurea is identified by RSCN as a species whose abundance is decreasing. Perhaps its
declining presence in areas surrounding these three villages is an indication that it be considered an
endangered species in Jordan. It was at the Um Qais meeting that two elderly men pointed out that while
the young adults seek allopathic medicines and treatments the older men and women continue to demand
and use the traditional herbal remedies. Mothers in rural homes depend on such medicines because they
are valued as effective and free, as well as being culturally acceptable.
69
While the PDF B Grant inventory and socio-economic surveys provided important information regarding
the growing threat to medicinal plants presence a great deal more information can be obtained through a
more comprehensive country-wide botanical survey. In addition, a comprehensive survey of indigenous
collectors and users, plus the demand by urban traders and users would help identify specific needed
actions regarding the conservation, management and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal plants in
Jordan. Actions that are understood and supported by the public and private sectors.
Species diversity and indigenous knowledge of their ecology, harvesting and use, are important
components of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as defined under Article 8(j). Jordan has an
increasing number of medicinal plant species whose future survival is currently threatened. Enhancing
their survival can be accomplished by including rural women into the decision-making process. This can
be achieved if donors recognize that such plants are not only a source of free health care to families, but
also of income. As small as that income may be, it can be an incentive to protect the resource-base and
make a valuable contribution the conservation of global biodiversity.
In Jordan, medicinal plants and their products are used for a wide range of ailments, infections and
diseases, especially by the Bedouin and rural residents. It is estimated that more than 60% of the
population still relies on herbal medicine, this is especially so for the infants and elderly.
70
Annex 7: Role of Women in the Management and Sustainable Use of M I H Plants in Jordan
JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
Women in Jordan, as in most other developing countries, play an important role in the management and
sustainable use of medicinal plants. They are the primary sources of home healthcare and depend on their
knowledge of wild sources of medicinal plants and ability to maintain high-use species in home gardens.
In many households, they are actively engaged in livestock herding and consequently must administer
health care to their animals when sick. Accessing this human and livestock healthcare knowledge-base is
critical to the success of the Jordan Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project.
Traditional Use
In rural communities the women are traditionally involved in farming and collecting medicinal plants
from the wild, as well as cultivating them on family lands. This activity is divided into two periods. The
spring season, March to the end of May, is the primary season for collecting, drying, preparing for home
use and/or selling, and the fall season when cash crops are harvested and sold. Consequently women
spend half their lives in direct contact with nature, both as farmers and as caretakers of livestock.
Traditional health care knowledge is held by the older women “Hajat”. Accordingly, old women
diagnosis and treat ailments and infections, and treatment is generally free. The “Hajat” are also midwives
who have acquired their knowledge through individual experience. No information is available regarding
the total number of “Hajats” in the country or number of people treated. Neither is there any information
regarding the number of home deliveries by the midwives. Such information would be very useful in
planning future activities and linking to health and agricultural programs. We have no information
regarding the number of government health clinics in rural areas and what if any communication there is
between traditional healers and modern health practitioners vis-a-vis referrals, etc.
In communities and environments where traditional livestock herding prevails women are the primary
collectors and users of medicinal plants. However, where there has been a shift away from livestock
herding to sedentary farming communities are losing this knowledge. The older women are not passing on
their knowledge to younger generations since the women are spending less time on the hills because of
fewer livestock.
In some instances where agricultural activities are increasing the older knowledgeable women are
intercropping medicinal plants with their food crops. Herbs are collected when mature, dried and stored in
boxes for home use. Generally, they do not have better means for storage. The medicinal and herbal plant
inventory team had considerable difficulty in some communities obtaining information because of the
secretive nature of traditional health care. An inventory of “Hajats” in Jordan and the documentation of
their knowledge both of plants and uses would be extremely valuable. It would provide important
information on the distribution and sustainability of supply of medicinal plants. And particularly of plants
whose future existence might be in doubt. Regardless of the doubts by biomedical practitioners of its
validity, it still remains a viable, effective, cultural acceptable form of health care that needs to
documented and where scientifically proven valid to be formally included in Primary Health Care Policy.
Cultivation
Where small fanners are becoming engaged in medicinal and herbal plant cultivation and intercropping
with food and other crops women are playing and important role. However, it is the men who appear to
play the dominant role. It is expected that the basic knowledge most women have of medicinal plants as a
71
source of effective health care and income would form the foundation of their inclusion in new cultivation
practices.
NCARTT’s activities in the conservation of medicinal and herbal plants project focus on improving the
cultivation of such plants as a source of income for investors, and farmers, especially women. In a review
of activities, there is only limited information regarding how women are involved and how their
knowledge is being used to advantage. Of the 52 farmers visited under the CMHPP survey only 11 were
women. It is assumed that the women were in families and contributed their labor and knowledge to the
success of their labors. Medicinal plant production represented 40% of the sampled farms and 60% as a
secondary income source. Exactly what role women play in this small farm production is not known.
Future surveys and collaborative actions should build on this knowledge base as the farmers indicated that
sustainable cultivation is achievable and economically feasible.
The Noor Al-Hussein Foundation (NHF) through its Medicinal Herbs Agri-Enterprise Project is probably
the most actively involved NGO in introducing and expanding medicinal and herbal plant cultivation at
the household level that is specifically targeting women. The project started in 1989 with its objective to
integrate and enhance participation by women in rural development, create employment, increase family
incomes in rural areas, and empower women to become decision-makers in their families and
communities.
Launched in six villages in northern Jordan with technical support from the Jordan University of Science
and Technology (JUST) the project has provided training for 56 women to plant and supervise herbal
gardens and to process, package and market their products. Currently, oregano is planted in 20 villages in
the Bani-Kinaneh district, benefiting 350 women, earning an average monthly income of 100 JD per 0.1
ha. In just over a year the project has produced an equivalent of 10% of Jordan’s imports of oregano. A
healthy sign for the future.
Project activities include the establishment and running of nurseries for community needs and as a source
of training in plant propagation. The micro-credit scheme extends loans to women with land and
willingness to establish their own enterprises. Credit is in the form of seedlings, irrigation, water tanks
and fertilizers. Loan repayment is at the 95% level.
The knowledge base and entrepreneurial initiatives of the women have provided opportunities for
production of soaps utilizing the medicinal oils of home cultivated herbal crops. While production is still
in the experimental stage, the opportunities are well recognized by the women and NHF. Lessons learned
include: the positive response by women; opportunities seen to gain additional income based on highdemand medicinal and herb plant production; and credit is good when loans are repaid. Income generated
by the project has a direct impact on the family standard of living. Women are able to manage
successfully a credit fund. They are quick to learn and apply new techniques in their cultivation plots.
Conclusion
Knowledge of wild sources of medicinal and herbal plants is held almost exclusively by women, in
particular the “Hajat”. This knowledge is disappearing due to declining livestock farming and increase in
cultivation. A program that focuses on documenting this knowledge should have top priority. Few women
appear to be actively involved at the large scale farm or commercial production level of medicinal and
herbal plants. However, if success at the small scale level, as developed through the NHF, is any
indication cultivation practices will be identified for additional medicinal and herbal plants e.g.
chamomile, mints, anise, cumin, etc. At the same time, new opportunities for processing and marketing of
products will be identified. The women have prospects for providing for the needs of their own
communities, urban shops and hotels, and the tourist market. Such activities provide much needed income
72
and when taken together across the country contribute substantial to the national economy. Women are an
important source of knowledge in developing conservation and management strategies for medicinal and
herbal plants, plus labor in the formal establishment of cultivation within mulitcropping systems and
creating and developing new marketing channels for products.
73
Annex 8: “Hot Spots” and M I H Plant Sustainable Use at the Home Level.
JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
Introduction
“Hot Spots” are defined as areas of indefinite size where the biodiversity is under increasing threat due to
human activity, land degradation and environmental anomalies. In Jordan human activity will include the
harvesting, by women, of medicinal plants that are a source of accessible and affordable home health care
The project would delimit “hot spots” whose species are endangered, and with the cooperation of
medicinal plant collectors identify conservation and management strategies and plans of action to protect
such sites. It is proposed that the Noor Al Hussein Foundation (NHF) be the lead agency in this project
based on the success of its Quality of Life (QOL) program, and in particular the Medicinal Herbs AgriEnterprises Project (MHAEP).
Background
The MHAEP was established in 1989 to integrate women in rural development, create employment, turn
home gardens into enterprises, preserve medicinal and aromatic plants, and to ensure women as decision
makers. The preliminary target site was Bani Kinanah in cooperation with the local community and
several Jordanian universities. To date, 440 women have received technical training under the project and
another 1800 indirectly benefited. Simultaneously, the quality of life of women has been improved, they
have become decision-makers, established their own enterprises and contributed to the protection of
Jordan’s biodiversity.
As reported in the Jordan Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project preparation documents
women are probably the most knowledgeable of the wild sources of medicinal plants (Hajat), the supply
and their use in the home. Such knowledge offers an opportunity to expand the MHAEP, and to link “hot
spots” with appropriate communities in other regions of the country. Thereby building upon the
indigenous knowledge of women regarding conservation and management of in-situ sources of medicinal
plants, cultivation where possible, and importantly documentation of their traditional use in home health
care.
Table 1 identifies sixteen high-demand medicinal plant species collected for home health care needs in
three communities (Um Qais, Libb, Al Rabbe). The majority of these species are used by the three
communities and are becoming increasingly difficult to find. However, more than half of them have not
been identified by RSCN as species of medicinal value which indicates there is much work needed to
complete a Jordanian inventory of its medicinal plants. A number of the thirty four communities NHF is
working with are in close proximity to the eighteen “hot spots” identified by RSCN, WWF and IUCN.
For example, in the Jerash area the Aleppo Pine forest reaches its southern limit and therefore is of global
significance. Women gathering medicinal plants in such forest habitats can contribute to the Aleppo Pine
conservation. Similarly, the northern limit of Salvadora persica, a species in high-demand as a tooth
stick, is at its northern limit close to Fifa just south of the Dead Sea.
Objectives
This sub-component will support studies to: (i) inventory flora and fauna and define the boundaries of
twelve (12) “hot spots” in collaboration with RSCN, NCARTT and other knowledgeable parties; (ii)
assess the supply and demand of medicinal plants currently used by women for day-to-day health care
needs in the home; (ii) assess the sustainability of the wild supply; (iii) classify their status as to rare,
endangered, or decreasing and significance to Jordan’s biodiversity; (iv) identify guidelines for the
sustainable harvesting of wild individuals where cultivation is not possible; and (v) establish methods for
74
propagation and cultivation of selected medicinal plant species, where possible, in home gardens, in
degraded habitats to take pressure off the “hot spot” and provide an additional source of income.
Achieving such objectives would give women a greater opportunity to develop their knowledge-base and
play a greater role in resource conservation and management and supplement present income generation
activities.
Actions
The degradation of arable lands, overgrazing, urbanization and industrialization have lead to arable land
expansion that have resulted in serious threats to M/H species natural habitats. Home and field surveys
would be carried out to determine pressures on wild populations and habitats at selected community sites
to better understand community dependence on medicinal plants for human and livestock healthcare and
as a source of income.
Another activity supported by the project would be ex-situ conservation and cultivation of medicinal plant
species by communities in nurseries. Such nurseries maintained by women would be a source of highdemand species as they are the first source of healthcare in the rural communities. Suitable land and basic
water needs would be sought from the Jordan Valley Authority. Within a community the microenvironments of home gardens and selected agricultural sites contain high levels of species: medicinal,
herbs, spices and farmer crop varieties of health and nutritional value. The nurseries also would be points
of experimentation, introduction of new varieties and/or species and genetic diversity as a result of plant
(germplasm) exchange and supported by social-cultural diversity. In addition, they would be a source of
supply for women wishing to expand medicinal plant home gardens or to establish large income
generating agricultural plots.
Outputs
 Biodiversity documentation of selected “hot spots”.
 In -situ conservation and management programs identified that reflect community needs and CBD
objectives vis-a-vis the protection of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge.

Ex-situ cultivation programs established in home gardens, degraded lands and farms that
reduce the pressure on wild sources in collaboration with communities (women), NCARTT
and the pharmaceutical industry.
 New source(s) of income generation for women.
 Strengthening public and private sector collaboration.
 Contributing to Jordan’s education and public awareness programs for resource management.
The project would build upon the existing knowledge of women by documenting species and proposing
ways to address sustainability concerns within conservation, management and sustainable use component.
The project would support the following items:
 consultant services in socio-economic surveys of home use and medicinal plant inventories;
 identification of sustainable harvesting guidelines for in-situ high-demand medicinal plant species;
 consultant services in collaboration with women in the identification of sustainable agricultural
practices, selection of medicinal plants for cultivation, training extension officers in collaboration
with NCARTT, USDA, pharmaceutical industry;
 community and leader awareness raising and education campaigns;
 nursery establishment and management;
 goods (cutlasses, water containers, etc.) and material inputs (fencing, seeds and other planting
materials, etc.) for cultivation;
 incremental allowances for field staff travel; and
 incremental allowances for operating expenses.
75
Outputs
 Biodiversity documentation of selected “hot spots”.

In-situ conservation and management programs identified that reflect community needs and CBD
objectives vis-a-vis the protection of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge.
 Ex-situ cultivation programs established in home gardens, degraded lands and farms that reduce the
pressure on wild sources in collaboration with communities (women), NCARTT and the
pharmaceutical industry.
 New source(s) of income generation for women.
 Strengthening public and private sector collaboration.
 Contributing to Jordan’s education and public awareness programs for resource management.
Budget
12 “Hot spot” Surveys
24 communities ($3,OOOea. /year)
Travel by field supervisor
Operating costs
Incremental
Total
36,000
216,000
15,000
25,000
20,000
US$312,000
FY
FY2-4
FY 1-S
FY 1-5
FY 1-5
Education and Public Awareness Component to include this component in its budget.
76
Annex
Table 1. Medicinal plant species collected by women for home healthcare needs
Species
Matricaria aurea
Paronychia argentea
Peganum harmala
Malabaila secacul
Gundelia tourneforti
Retama raetam
Malva sylvestrus
Urtica pilulifera
Salvia hierosolimitana
Cyclamen persicum
Arum discorides
Crambe orientalis
Thymus capitata
Achillea membranacea
Foeniculum vulgare
Globuhania arabica
Um Qais
D
C
C
NI
NI
C
NI
C
NI
E
NI
NI
NI
NI
R
NI
Libb
+
+
+
+
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+
+
+
+
+/S
+
+
+
+/S
+/S
Al Amir
3
+/S
+/S
+/S
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+
+
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+/S
+
Frequency
+/S
NI — not included in RSCN inventory; C — common; D — decreasing; E — endangered; R — rare.
77
2
2
3
2
3
2
3
Annex 9: Essential Oils-Their potential importance to Jordan.
JORDAN: Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project
Essential oils play an important role in the daily lives of Jordanians. They are used medicinally in the
home, by the pharmaceutical industry and for cooking, perfumes and cosmetics. Their true economic
value has yet to be objectively determined and where possible more fully developed. The Conservation of
Medicinal and Herbal Plants Project has carried out a cursory review of the importance of essential oils,
but there is more to document. The following summarizes the information obtained to date.
Traditional Health Care
For home health purposes the use of herbal medicines depends, in many situations, on the combination of
one or more plants to treat a condition. The way these plants are combined is usually manually without
taking into account the pharmacological or physical incompatibilities. However, the method invariably
depends on preparing a decoction in olive oil, sesame oil, or any available vegetable oil. As the olive tree
is present in many parts of the country the use of it in folk medicine and in the preparation of dosages in
very common. Almost all external and many internal remedies prepared from medicinal plants are
prepared in olive oil. Moreover, olive oil is widely used and recommended as a first aid to treat all
poisoning cases for human and livestock. For example, in the treatment of burns; Alkanna strigosa, boric
acid, vaseline, sesame oil and olive oil are mixed and applied both at home and can be purchased
commercially.
Table 1. Plants with essential and volatile oils of medicinal value
Scientific Name
Active Compound
Scientific Evidence
Local Evidence
Carminative, depurative
Stornachache antispasmodic
Epigastic bloating. Infusions
flowers used for restlessness
External inflammation and skin
irritation, mucosa and
Hemarrhoids
None
Carminative, pectoral,
antitussive and stomachic
Depurative,Carminative
Stornachache antispasmodic
Antispasmodic, analgesic,
antipyretic, anti-cough,
influenza, asthma, eye infections
Achillea falcate
Volatile oils
Matricaria aure
Volatile oils
Moringa peregrina
Majorana syriaca
Essential oils
Volatile oils
Ruta chalepensis
Essential oils
Head lice and hair tonic
Olea europaea
Fixed oil
Salvia triloba
Essential oils
Cyperus rotundus
Foeniculurn vulagare
Essential oils
Essential oils
Carthanus tinctora
Eucalyptus
camaldulensis
Coriandrum sativum
Volatile oils
Volatile oils
Edible, hyper-chloesterolirna
anti-hypertension, antioxidant
Anti-spasmodic, astingent, antidandruff
None
Renal secretion, antispasmodic, anti-flatulence
Dye, oil
Anti-septic, anti-decongeestant,
bronchial infections
Renal secretion of water, antispasmodic, anti-flatulence
Volatile oils
Pain killer
Carminative, pectorea,
antitussive, aperative stomachic,
calminative
Leaf — sudorific,
antispasmodic, antidiabetes.
Scorpion bites
Laxative. Hypertension
Livestock poisoning
Antispasmodic
Hair depilator
Anti-spasmodic, anti-flatulence
Child flatulence
Toothache
Nausea
The traditional medicinal values of the essential and volatile oils, except in two cases, are supported by
scientific evidence. In numerous instances identified above the traditional and allopathic treatments are
similar for the same ailments and infections, which suggests that there is a valid basis to traditional
78
diagnosis. As in other developing countries where similar projects are being developed and implemented
the collaboration between traditional and biomedical practitioners is strongly encouraged. Such
collaboration offers opportunities to raise the quality and safety of healthcare available to rural residents,
especially children of the rural poor.
Cultivation
The cultivation assessment produced seventy-six monographs of medicinal and herbal plants. The
monographs gave a general botanical description and identified each species’ ecology, distribution,
chemical constituents, parts used, folk uses, propagation, method of cultivation, cultivar (where
appropriate), harvesting, yield, extraction where known.
There are a number of essential oil species that are already being cultivated in Jordan, but only two (mint
and Jojoba) have an detailed information (see following Socio-economic Survey). Many of the plant
products used in culinary activities are preferred in the raw or dried form. Oil forms are more expensive
and less in demand. Perfumery and cosmetic products are generally oil-based and this offers opportunities
for farmers and commercial interests to provide products to processors and consumers. For example,
Jasminum officinalis, Lavendula officinalis, Mytus communis, Narcissus tazatta, Ocirnum basilicum,
Rosa spp. and Rosmarinus officinalis are species that have a global demand.
Essential oil plants of medicinal value offer income generating opportunities for small farmers, as well as
the women collectors. Cultivation will take the pressure off wild stocks (germplasm) and with scientific
validation of effective traditional remedies offer a greater array of accessible and affordable medicines
that are culturally acceptable to all Jordanians. The increasing demand by Europe and North America for
natural products and supplements is putting pressure on developing countries. Unscrupulous buyers are
not concerned about maintaining Jordan’s biodiversity, but only product volume. Therefore Jordan must
be careful in what it selects to cultivate. Because cultivation is restricted to few areas due to poor soils and
inadequate water species selection becomes more critical.
A detailed study is required that determines Jordan’s internal needs, land use capacity, agronomic know
how, ability to sustain supply and costs/benefits. Between health, food, culinary and cosmetic demands
there are numerous options to be pursued that could be both environmentally sustainable and
economically beneficial.
Socio-Economic Survey
Oils in general, essential, aromatic, volatile, etc., are in increasing demand in Europe. Most of these oils
are imported in the form of extracted oils to be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries.
Imports of oils of mints by the EU were similar to those of medicinal and aromatic plants. Volumes of
oils of mints increased by 120% from 1100mt to 2350mt between 1993 and 1999. The major suppliers
were India, China, USA and the UK with India the dominant supplier. India’s dominance in the
production of oils of mint is seen in its total production – 4,207 mt in 1999. Export is not the only aspect,
but has to be linked to a profitable return to the producer. While India exports the most oils of mint it is
the USA’s product that demands the highest price.
Jojoba is a high-demand wax (oil) in the USA where it commands a high price in the cosmetics and hair
care products. As m any as 300 products containing Jojoba are available to the consumer. It is also an
important low-calorie oil as it contains no cholesterol or triglycerides. The import demand trends in the
EU are similar to the oils of mints. Volumes doubled between 1993 and 1999. France is the main supplier
to the EU followed by Argentina, Mexico and the UK. The highest price paid being 10,800ECU/mt. It has
been grown in Jordan, however, an efficient, high quality oil extraction process is not available. This
could be a major barrier to scaling up cultivation in Jordan and competing successfully in the EU.
79
Conclusion
Quality is the key element and must be the primary concern of Jordanian producers. This will require an
in-depth review of other country raw products, their cultivation, pre- and post-harvesting and processing
technologies, and packaging and marketing techniques. Followed by a review of which oil-based plants
would provide Jordan with high quality products and what are their production needs. There will be little
return for Jordan if it supplies only raw materials. It must seek added-value to producers in Jordan. Such
actions will offer opportunities to compete in the global market, as well as supply in-country needs and
the tourist industry. The latter market, for example, would be able to produce soaps and cosmetics with
locally produced aromatic oils to enhance their value and attraction.
Recommendations

In-depth review of European and North American essential/aromatic oil market demands.
In-depth review of Jordan’s local and tourist market potential.
Assess quality of Jordan’s oil products and comparative advantage.
Select competitive species.
Determine cultivation needs, costs and benefits to producers.
Determine added-value processes possible in Jordan.
Determine if it is environmentally sustainable and economically profitable.
Determine when Jordan could competitively enter the essential/aromatic oil market.
80