Rural women in southern Jordan are transforming agricultural waste into sustainable economic opportunities through a pioneering banana fiber extraction initiative that combines environmental protection with women’s economic empowerment.
Building on local efforts to reduce agricultural waste, Ain Abata Women's Association for Rural Women in Ghor Al-Safi, in partnership with women from the local community, launched an initiative aimed at supporting the growth and long-term sustainability of women-led green enterprises in the region.
The project focuses on utilising banana tree stems after the fruit is harvested. The stems are cut into long strips and then fed into a specialised fiber extraction machine — the only one of its kind in the southern region. The extracted fibers are subsequently dried and combed, making them ready for use in handicrafts and eco-friendly products.
The initiative goes beyond fiber extraction and adopts a full-resource utilisation approach. Banana leaves are used in handmade crafts through braiding and twisting techniques to create various decorative and functional products. Meanwhile, the sap produced during the extraction process is reused as a natural organic fertiliser for irrigating crops, contributing to improved soil fertility and reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers.
The project also includes practical training sessions in fiber extraction, product development, entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship, strengthening the capacities of participating women and enabling them to manage their businesses efficiently and independently.
The initiative has already begun to achieve tangible results. Participating women have started producing and marketing locally made eco-friendly products, with expectations of expanding the number of beneficiaries as production capacity grows.
Beyond its economic return, the project contributes to reducing agricultural waste, promoting circular economy principles, and reinforcing women’s roles in the sustainable management of natural resources.
Today, women in southern Jordan are leading a sustainable development model that connects environmental innovation with economic empowerment and builds more resilient and sustainable communities.
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