Abstract

The main purpose of the study is to determine farmer's awareness and training needs towards the production of Medicinal and Herbal (M/H) plants in Jordan. A survey questionnaire described the personal characteristics of M/H farmers with sample size population of 209. Results showed the majority of farmers grow thyme, sage, and mint which is a popular M/H plant grown in Jordan. A majority of farmers, 71%, feel that there is a high need for a proper legislation for conserving M/H plants in Jordan. The majority of illiterate farmers 0.89%, indicated a very high need for awareness programs about conservation and production of M/H plants. On the other hand, the majority of farmers with university degree believe that M/H plants should be conserved in their natural habitat and should be protected by legislations. Female farmers, 50%, displayed a sense of awareness than the males as regards various methods of drying. Also, the females, 42%, do not know much about implementing  the irrigation system in their fields and 43% are not aware of the maintenance of the irrigation system. The study indicates the priorities of the following needed training courses: Marketing, Pest and disease management, Harvesting and post-harvesting techniques, Irrigation design and maintenance, Fertilizer application, Soil sterilization, Planting methods, Weed control, and Soil preparation. This study is considered as the first in Jordan that describes M/H plants farmers and their priority training needs.

Key words: Extension, farmers awareness, Jordan, Medicinal and herbal (M/H) plants, production and conservation, training needs.