AMMAN — Representative of the UN Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) in Jordan, Nabil Assaf, has shed light on the issue of food
loss and waste in the country, emphasizing that approximately 14 percent of the
food produced in Jordan goes to waste after harvest and before reaching the
retail stage.
اضافة اعلان
He added that approximately 935,000 tonnes of food are
wasted annually in Jordan, Al-Rai daily reported.
The agricultural production loss rate can reach 41 percent
in some products like tomatoes and 34 percent in grain products such as wheat,
he said.
This revelation came to light during the Fifth Karak
Agricultural Conference, held under the patronage of the Minister of
Agriculture.
Food security as a priorityDuring the event, Assaf underscored the significance of food
security, stating that it is receiving the attention of His Majesty King
Abdullah and has become a top priority in terms of government policies and
measures.
Jordan, he said, has launched national strategies and plans,
including the National Food Security Strategy (2021–2030) and the Sustainable
Agricultural Plan (2022–2025), aimed at addressing issues related to
agriculture, food security, and climate change.
These initiatives seek to improve the livelihoods of
farmers, enhance agricultural productivity, and optimize water irrigation
efficiency.
Sustainable food securityAssaf highlighted the vital role of the food sector in
supporting the livelihoods of approximately a quarter of Jordan's population.
Given Jordan's medium income level and a total population of
over 11 million, with 9 percent residing in rural areas and around 12 percent
being Syrian refugees, ensuring the sustainability of food security is of
utmost importance.
With 1.3 million Syrian refugees hosted by Jordan, placing
additional strain on local resources and services, there is an urgent need for
comprehensive support.
Karak governorate benefits from FAO's agricultural support
In relation to the Karak Governorate, Assaf revealed that
the FAO provided significant assistance to local farmers, with a focus on
supporting women in the past year.
The organization extended financial support of $4,000 to
establish new agricultural projects or enhance existing ones, aiming to boost
production, income, achieve food security, and generate job opportunities.
Supported initiatives encompassed both tree and vegetable
farming, utilizing both protected greenhouse environments and open fields.
Furthermore, FAO encouraged climate-smart projects such as
water harvesting, rainwater collection, non-traditional fodder cultivation, as
well as livestock production and aquaculture projects.
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