Policy Paper: The System of Agricultural Holdings in Jordan

This paper analyzes the agricultural holdings (AHs) registration system in Jordan, revealing gaps between the legal framework and actual practices, which have turned the system from a planning tool into a bureaucratic burden. Issues include inconsistencies in definitions, annual rather than five-year certificate renewals, and inefficient procedures. Through legal analysis and interviews, the paper identifies problems like redundant hard-copy submissions and weak field inspections. It offers policy and procedural recommendations to align laws, digitize processes, standardize inspections, and streamline timelines, aiming to restore the system's original purpose while reducing the administrative load on farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture.