**2. Research methodology**

In Jordan, goat farming is a major part of agricultural systems as goats play a sig‐ nificant role in the economy, food security, and livelihoods of farmers in rural areas. Locally, goats are the second most abundant ruminant livestock species after sheep, with a total number of goats to be around 857,728 heads in the country in 2014 [1]. The goat breeds in Jordan include Shami (Damascus goat), Mountain Black goat, Dhaiwi (Bedouin goat), and Desert goat in addition to crossbred goats. Goat breeds are dis‐ tributed across different regions. Therefore, goats are raised in different production systems that are classified into sedentary (semi intensive), transhumant (semi‐exten‐ sive), and nomadic (extensive) systems. Mountain Black goat is the main goat breed with the largest population. The proportional contribution of goats to households var‐ ies from breed to breed and system to system. Jordan is an Arab kingdom in Middle

) and has a population estimated at 9.5 million people. The proportion of

rural and urban population is around 16.3% and 83.7%, respectively [2]. The climate in Jordan is characterized by long, dry, hot summer and short, wet, cold winter seasons. Yearly temperature ranges from about maximum 26°C to minimum 13°C in winter to more than 32°C in summer; the temperature increases between 3 and 7°C toward the south, with the exception of some southern highlands. Rainfall varies considerably with location, mainly due to the national topographic profile. Between 1985 and 2014, the average annual rainfall in whole country was about 226 mm, with the lowest amount in the eastern and southern desert and the highest amount in the northern highlands [3]. Jordan's climate is, therefore, classified as semiarid with approximately 7% of arable land. Jordan is suscep‐ tible to climate change impact. Increasing temperatures, coupled with changing precipita‐

**Figure1.** Map of Jordan and where Jordan is located in the world. Source: http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/

(land 88,802 km2

,

East region (**Figure 1**) with a total area of approximately 89,342 km<sup>2</sup>

tion patterns, are expected to decrease water availability.

water 540 km2

368 Goat Science

asia/jordan/jomaps.html.

The research methodology of chapter consists of a comprehensive, up‐to‐date compilation of available information on goat farming in Jordan. The methodological approach of the chapter involves the use of different elements, including (1) reviewing many articles and resource books in the field of goat science and searching the current topics in the literature related to goats in Jordan and (2) the experience of the author and consultation of other professors at different institutions in the region regarding goat production in Jordan.
