AMMAN — In an interview with Al-Mamlaka TV,
Minister of Agriculture Khaled Al-Hneifat highlighted the significance of water
scarcity as a major obstacle to achieving self-sufficiency in wheat production.
اضافة اعلان
Jordan, he said, requires nearly 1 billion
cubic meters of water to attain self-sufficiency in wheat production.
However, the country's total
annual water budget is approximately 1 billion cubic meters, with only half allocated to
agriculture. Within the allocated water, 180 million cubic meters are reserved
for restricted crops, further constraining efforts to achieve self-sufficiency
in wheat production.
Encouraging cultivation methods and
supporting local farmersTo address the water scarcity challenge,
the
Ministry of Agriculture promotes the cultivation of durum wheat and
supplementary irrigation in certain areas.
Additionally, the
ministry purchases wheat from local farms at a significantly higher price than the global market,
providing support to farmers and bolstering their income.
Hneifat emphasized the importance of
preserving the genes of local wheat and maintaining
traditional methods of seedling establishment, ensuring the continuation of Jordan's agricultural
heritage.
Agricultural sector as a driver of economic
growthHneifat credited His Majesty King
Abdullah's continuous attention and support for the agricultural sector's
remarkable progress in recent years, transforming it into a key driver of
Jordan's economic growth.
Over the past two and a half years, the
Ministry of Agriculture has achieved a qualitative leap on all levels.
The agricultural sector contributes
approximately 20 percent to the national economy and represents 6 percent of
the GDP. It employs 400,000 workers, including both permanent and seasonal
workers, with a significant number of foreign workers.
The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing
the
National Sustainable Agriculture Plan (2022–2025), a collaborative effort
with 72 initiatives, 57 of which involve partnerships with the private sector.
The plan aims to create employment
opportunities for youth and rural women, reduce production costs, support
farmers with subsidized loans, and open new export markets for Jordanian
products.
Over the course of its implementation, the
plan is expected to provide 32,000 permanent jobs and numerous temporary and
seasonal employment opportunities.
Hneifat highlighted the ministry's efforts
in water management and environmental conservation.
The ministry has constructed numerous
ponds, earthen dams, and rainwater harvesting wells to collect and conserve
water resources in the country's arid regions. Additionally, the National
Reforestation Project aims to enhance green spaces and biodiversity through
extensive planting initiatives.
He said that the ministry is working on
reforesting 2,200 dunums in Al-Qatrana by planting 100,000 trees. Additionally,
there are plans for reforesting the Al-Abyad Oasis with 1,000 dunums and the
Aneiza Oasis with 2,000 dunums.
The ministry collaborates with local
initiatives to address food waste management and raise awareness about the
environmental impact of food waste.
The minister mentioned that studies have
shown that food waste amounts to 950,000 tonnes annually, accounting for 30
percent of Jordanians' food and resulting in wastage of 50 percent of
production cycles.
Focus on training and advisory services
To enhance farmers' skills and knowledge,
the ministry has established 22 advisory centers and introduced electric cars
to support field advisory services. Furthermore, the ministry has set up
training centers for farmers and unemployed individuals to learn modern
agricultural techniques.
With a focus on improving the quality of
these centers, the ministry aims to provide comprehensive support to farmers
through a database that connects advisors with farmers and relevant
departments.
Interest-free loans and financial support
The Agricultural Credit Corporation has
provided loans worth JD110 million to farmers, with approximately JD55 million
offered interest-free.
These loans have facilitated the adoption
of modern agricultural technologies, such as mechanization, water conservation,
and food processing. The ministry also supports seed production and rural
development projects, offering loans for cattle fattening, rural
entrepreneurship, and women's empowerment.
Promoting innovation and digital services
The Ministry of Agriculture has established
the Agricultural Innovation Incubator, which supports entrepreneurs and
start-ups in the agricultural industry.
The incubator provides guidance, financial
support, and interest-free loans to transform innovative ideas into pioneering
projects.
The ministry has also introduced electronic
services, enabling licensing procedures to be completed electronically through
the "Sanad" application. The agricultural ID system has been launched
to facilitate identification for workers in the sector.
Investment in food manufacturing and
veterinary services
The ministry is investing in food
manufacturing projects by establishing factories and supporting local production.
In collaboration with traders, the ministry aims to regulate the central market
for vegetables and fruits, ensuring the interests of both farmers and
consumers.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to
strengthen veterinary services with the establishment of three veterinary
medical centers and a comprehensive campaign against Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
Hneifat's initiatives and reforms in
Jordan's agricultural sector reflect a comprehensive strategy aimed at
achieving self-sufficiency, promoting economic growth, supporting farmers,
preserving traditional agricultural practices, and addressing environmental
challenges.
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