A recent study by agricultural unions and associations has revealed that 40% of farmers in Jordan have legal charges against them.

The study comes at a time when those organizations have condemned the government’s decision to impose a 10% sales tax on profits made from agricultural production.

While many farmers have abandoned their land and numerous agricultural companies have declared bankruptcy, dozens of employees have also been laid off, according to the study’s findings.

The study has also shown that there has been a sharp fall in the prices of fruits and vegetables over the past seven years, due to the dire local economic situation and farmers’ inability to export their produce.

Agricultural production costs have risen by 25% due to the lack of agricultural workers, the increase in work permit fees from 120 JOD to 520 JOD, and the rise in transport costs by more than 10%, due to the increase in fuel prices.

Agricultural companies and factories owe the government more than 400 million JOD in debt.

Imposing more taxes on the agricultural sector will create a black market for the smuggling of seeds and agricultural products from neighbouring countries. It will also result in more workers losing their jobs and farmers immigrating abroad, the study warned.

The study has also predicted an increase in the number of farmers wanted by the law.