Jordan’s fertile Shobak municipality is famous for its apple and fruit farms. However, apple farmers are now threatening to close down their farms if the government fails to respond to their demands.

The distressed farm owners said in a statement that every elected government in the last decade (it takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch) has neglected them by failing to find a solution for issues concerning the importing of apples from overseas.

More apples are imported into Jordan than the number of locally-produced ones.

Other problems include failing to look into the farms’ security, thefts and electricity-related problems.

There are 15 apple farms in Shobak, employing 1000 workers, the majority of whom are women.

With one million trees planted in those farms, Jordan’s apple needs are certainly met.

Perhaps the farmers can generate more profit if they turned their apples into different products, such as jams, desserts, bread and juices.