Contribution of agribusiness to national income and employment in Jordan

Food and fiber production and other agriculture-related industries and services are critical to the economic growth process in Jordan, but their link to agriculture is masked in traditional national income accounts. One needs to define a sector that captures the backward and forward economic linkages that are set in motion by agriculture. This study therefore: (1) discusses the definition and components of an agribusiness sector; (2) presents approaches for measuring agribusiness" contribution to income and employment; and (3) presents major findings concerning the contribution of agribusiness to Jordan"s GDP and employment, the contribution of domestic food and fiber to agribusiness development, and key areas to monitor progress and changes in the agribusiness sector. Conclusions, implications for policy, and recommendations are provided as well. Additional detail on the method and the data base developed during the course of the study is appended. (Author abstract, modified)