Page 24 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Jordan

FAO and Ministry of Agriculture partner to advance

agricultural sustainability and food security

In a significant step toward advanc-
ing Jordan’s agricultural sector and
enhancing food security, the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) in Jordan, the
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and
the National Agricultural Research
Center (NARC), officially signed two
groundbreaking projects in a cer-
emony attended by the Minister of
Agriculture and the Director General
of NARC.
This signing marks a crucial com-
mitment to bolstering sustainable ag-
ricultural development and improv- Jordan’s indigenous almond variet- farmers with sustainable farming
ing livelihoods across Jordan. The ies—particularly those threatened practices, boosting productivity, and
two projects represent a targeted in- by climate change, agricultural mod- expanding market access. This proj-
vestment aligned with national prior- ernization, and limited genetic data. ect will provide farmers with essential
ities for food security and economic Through genetic and morphological tools and training, foster public-pri-
resilience. studies, conservation strategies, and vate dialogue, and create enhanced
the development of new cultivars, market entry opportunities, includ-
The first project, “Conservation
and Genetic Enhancement of Local this initiative will enhance biodiver- ing Agri-fairs. It directly responds to
Almond Varieties in Jordan for Sus- sity and strengthen resilience within key national challenges such as water
tainable Agricultural Development,” the agricultural sector. scarcity, unemployment, and global
focuses on preserving Jordan’s rich The second project, “Strengthening economic pressures, reinforcing the
Jordanian government and Royal vi-
agricultural heritage. In collaboration Jordan’s Agriculture Sector Through sion for enhanced food security.
with NARC and research institutions, Enhanced Capacities and Market Ac-
FAO will undertake the documenta- cess,” aims to improve food security As part of the event, the Minister
tion, analysis, and conservation of and rural livelihoods by supporting of Agriculture and FAO Representa-
tive also signed an additional agree-
ment to enhance farmers’ skills and
capacities through climate smart ag-
ricultural practices to cope with cli-
mate change impact in the targeted
governorates of Madaba, Karak, Ta-
fileh and Ma’an. Under this agree-
ment, 16 farmer field schools will
be established, while necessary
equipment will be identified for an
additional schools to be established
later, aiming to improve the farmers’
adaptation to climate change. This
agreement falls under the “Build-
ing Resilience to Cope with Climate
Change in Jordan through Improving
Water Use Efficiency in the Agricul-
ture Sector (BRCCJ)” project, funded
by the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
and implemented by FAO in collabo-
22 Arab Agriculture 2025