Amman, July 26 (Petra) — The “Marhaba Watermelon” project has
continued to establish itself as a successful agricultural initiative
for the eighth consecutive year, contributing to agricultural
production and supporting the local economy in the Marhaba area of
Koura district, west of Irbid Governorate.

Since its launch in 2018 to breathe new life into traditional
rain-fed watermelon cultivation, the initiative has blossomed into a
beloved seasonal destination. The turning point came in 2020 with the
introduction of vibrant yellow watermelons, a bold agricultural pivot
that captured the public imagination and turned a local farming
venture into a kingdom-wide phenomenon.

Project owner and farmer Mohammad Khraisat told the Jordan News
Agency (Petra) that the initiative has injected vibrant economic
energy into the Koura district, creating a thriving ripple effect for
local commerce. He noted that Marhaba watermelons now enjoy robust
distribution across the northern and central governorates.

Khraisat said the project’s success is rooted in its reliance on
natural farming methods, noting that the watermelons are grown
without chemical fertilizers, growth hormones or artificial
additives.

He added that the yellow variety now stands toe-to-toe with
traditional red melons in production, sales, and consumer demand.

In a nostalgic nod to local history, the project has also
successfully revived the iconic large-seeded watermelon variety first
grown in the area back in the 1970s, bridging generations of farming
heritage.

Visitors wandering the fields echoed this sentiment, sharing that the
journey from different parts of Jordan was well worth it for a taste
of the farm-fresh produce. Shoppers enthusiastically praised the
melons’ exceptional sweetness, expressing appreciation for the
project’s commitment to natural cultivation practices.

//Petra// AJ