Amman, Feb. 10 (Petra) – The project supporting agricultural services and small farmers in Jordan, implemented by Mercy Corps, Advance Consulting, and Wageningen University in the Netherlands, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture’s affiliated institutions the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), the Jordan Cooperative Corporation, and the Agricultural Credit Corporation concluded on Monday.

During the closing ceremony, attended by Dutch Ambassador Harry Verweij, NARC Director General Khaled Abu Hamour, Director General of the Agricultural Credit Corporation Mohammad Balawneh, and Director General of the Jordan Cooperative Corporation Abdul Fattah Shalabi, Minister of Agriculture, and the Prime Minister’s representative, Khaled Hneifat, stated that the project contributed to creating 974 job opportunities, rehabilitating 15 agricultural cooperatives, and building the capacities of 5,168 farmers on good agricultural practices.

He added, “The project also provided 114 grants to support small farmers and young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, amounting to JD260,000, in addition to 331 interest-free loans worth JD2 million, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision and funded by the Dutch government.”

Hneifat pointed out that cooperation with partners in the agricultural services support project resulted in reaching 6,849 beneficiaries, with women making up 28 percent of the beneficiaries. He noted that these outcomes contributed to achieving sustainable agricultural development, enhancing the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, and promoting the sustainability of natural resources in Jordan.

Lamia Dabbas, Executive Director of Advance Consulting, commended the pioneering role of the Ministry of Agriculture in implementing projects by Advance Consulting and its partners, Wageningen University and the Dutch government. She explained that the project targeted the governorates of Balqa, Irbid, and Ajloun.

//Petra// AF
10/02/2025 21:59:27