The Dhiban branch of Jordan’s Agricultural Credit Corporation had extended JD2.6 million in loans by October 6, against an annual plan of JD3 million. Branch director Nizar Quba’i told Petra that the branch disbursed JD2.2 million of a JD2.4 million plan last year, benefiting 488 borrowers. This year’s loans cover livestock, fruit trees, field crops, greenhouses and food processing, among other activities.

Branch figures allocate JD500,000 to water harvesting and efficient irrigation, JD500,000 to poverty and unemployment projects and rural finance, and JD350,000 to agricultural production. Another JD100,000 is for aquaculture and JD50,000 for renewable energy. Petra said a mushroom grower sought additional finance to scale output from three to 18 tonnes and create 10 permanent jobs; these are proposed targets, not achieved results. The report gives no loan terms or repayment performance.