Jordan Valley Authority Strategic Plan 2003 - 2008.

This JVA Strategic Plan is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at repositioning JVA in line with the amendment to its mandate enacted through the Law No.30 of 2001, whose main amendments (i) diminished JVA's role in integrated development; (ii) opened the way for private sector participation; (iii) allowed JVA to operate on a commercial basis excluding irrigation projects; and (iv) entrusted JVA primarily with water resources development and management, water distribution, land reclamation and development, tourism development and environmental improvement and protection. In other words, JVA no longer has a regulatory role in water activities, but its role is limited to the management and distribution of water for different uses. However, JVA maintains a regulatory responsibility for land in the Valley. The new Mission envisaged for the Authority is to become a body that develops, manages, and protects water and land resources and their supporting infrastructure in the Jordan Valley in an environmentally and economically sound manner, in the Jordanian national interest, through creating partnerships with the private sector where appropriate. JVA will also implement projects stemming from regional agreements on water and development on behalf of the Jordanian government. This, in order to achieve the Mission of being a prominent institution for developing the Jordan Valley and providing quality services to its residents and investors.
To fulfill the new mission, the following four goals have been formulated each representing a functional area in JVA's operations (i) Water Resources Development and Management to meet the needs of current and future water users taking into account both economic and environmental consideration; (ii) Water Supply and Distribution to manage existing water delivery and distribution infrastructure, systems and facilities in an efficient, transparent and equitable manner; (iii) Land Development and Management Develop to manage, regulate and protect land and related resources in the Jordan Valley in order to maximize their economic usefulness; and (iv) Organizational Performance Improvement and Development to develop and reorganize JVA.
To make agriculture more productive and sustainable, the Plan envisages the following (i) determine accurately the quantities of water delivered to farms and the quantities of water released to the irrigation networks; (ii) develop and rehabilitate irrigation networks and infrastructure; (iii) implement a management contract for irrigation water management and distribution; (iv) collaborate with other institutions to bring modern irrigation technologies to farmers; (v) provide training on the use of modern irrigation systems; and (vi) utilize water resources for additional benefit developing fish and wildlife habitats.
In order to enhance more inclusive and efficient agricultural systems, it is considered necessary (i) to involve farmers in the management of irrigation water distribution systems; (ii) establish a mechanism to periodically and consistently communicate information on water availability and quality to farmers; and () restructure water tariff system such that price to farmers is sensitive to quantity and quality.
The resilience of livelihoods to disasters shall be increased through (i) the development and implementation of proactive plans for risk and crisis management; and (ii) protection and sustainable use of natural resources in the Jordan Valley.
As for the Governance, to develop and reorganize JVA, the Plan indicates as necessary (i) to develop a new legal and institutional framework; (ii) to adopt modern technical, managerial and financial methods and systems; and () to improve JVA's human resources management practices to enhance staff efficiency and performance and increase job satisfaction.