Context
The Nour Al Barakah Association was established in 2009 to help young adults with intellectual disabilities improve their skills, particularly through gardening. In addition to the therapeutic value of gardening, this activity enabled the young people to get involved in projects that contributed to the quality of life in the local area and the preservation of biodiversity.
Since then, Nour Al Barakah has expanded its activities and developed several projects in Jordan. In particular, since 2023, the association has been supporting small local producers and facilitating access to fresh, local, organic and quality produce through the Nour Al Barakah farmers' market in Amman.
Project
The Nour Al Barakah farmers' market is held every Saturday in Princess Iman's Garden, a public park in the Rabiyah district of Amman. The association has obtained permission from the Greater Amman Municipality to use the space on a full-time basis, although this is not without its difficulties. Small producers can rent stalls to sell their produce at the market, as can suppliers and cooks who want to sell ready-made meals.
This farmers' market is important because it provides an outlet for small-scale organic food producers, especially at this critical early stage when agriculture is not fully established in Jordan. In addition, the market supports local producers and women's handicrafts in particular.
At the outset, the Nour al Barakah project included a planting activity in the park. Eventually, the association decided to build facilities in the park to house a range of recreational and educational activities for young adults with intellectual disabilities. The young adults found the recreational activities (games, painting, etc.) more attractive than the planting itself. In this way, the association combines activities and support for young adults, planting and urban gardening, as well as its commercial activity thanks to the farmers' market held every Saturday.
The Nour Al Barakah Farmers' Market not only contributes to the development of a fairer, more equitable and environmentally friendly society, but also makes it easier for the people of Amman to access fresh, diverse local produce, supporting local producers and increasing the food security of local residents.
For whom ?
The Farmers' Market is aimed primarily at local producers and farmers, as well as women involved in farming or artisanal food production, who wish to rent a stall at the weekly Saturday market. The opportunity to sell products is also open to suppliers and cooks, particularly through the sale of cooked products at the market.
Resources
The association and the market are supported by the Jordan Investment Bank.
Little extra
The association is keen to develop composting and has a composting facility in the park. The association encourages people to bring in their organic waste to be composted on site. There are five compost heaps in the garden, each producing 24kg bags of composted material. Although the facility is small and simple, the latest news is that by 2019 it will be the largest organic composting facility in Jordan.
This fact sheet was written by Nadja Camille, LF project manager in February 2023.
Last modification : 29 Dec 2023.
Association Nour Al Barakah
Nour Al Barakah is a Jordanian association that works to integrate marginalised young adults into society while promoting fresh, quality produce and local crafts.