Amman, September 1 (Petra) – A sectoral session focused on agriculture and food security was held Monday at the Prime Ministry and reviewed the strategic vision for developing Jordan’s agricultural sector and enhancing national food security.
The session was chaired by Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khreisat and saw the participation of Senate Agriculture and Water Committee Chair Akef Zoubi and several officials, experts and stakeholders.
Discussions covered key achievements, future programmes, enabling regulations and impact indicators as Khreisat said that agriculture is a cornerstone of Jordan’s economic and social stability, as well as food security.
He outlined the sector’s strategic objectives, which include improving the agricultural business environment, promoting sustainable production in the face of climate change, upgrading rural livelihoods, attracting investment, leveraging modern technology, expanding food industries and enhancing agricultural marketing to boost export competitiveness.
The strategy prioritises biodiversity preservation and ecosystem development.
The session approved several enabling measures in line with these objectives, including:
Legislation and Policy Approvals:
Amended regulation for registering new plant varieties (2025)
Solidarity Fund Law to mitigate agricultural risks (2025)
Cooperatives Law (2025)
Amended Food Security Council regulation (2025)
Amended Agricultural Workers Regulation (2024)
Strategic Projects and Initiatives:
Establishment of an agricultural industrial development zone in Ghor Al-Mazra’a (Karak Governorate)
Extension of a 75% fee exemption on exported horticultural products until the end of 2025
Creation of a national food security database and digital agricultural holdings registry
Approval of land leasing for an agricultural industrial development city in the Central Jordan Valley
Khreisat highlighted key achievements in recent years, including:
Formation of 10 agricultural alliances to strengthen supply chains and promote contract farming
Support for three new food industry factories in the Southern Jordan Valley
Incentives for 14 factories through rental subsidies
Promotion of modern irrigation systems and clean energy solutions
Opening of the National Seed Bank to preserve plant genetic resources
Expansion of grain storage capacity in Ghabawi and refrigerated warehouses in the Juwaida silos complex
Impact indicators from the strategy’s implementation included:
Sustainable cultivation areas expanded from 14,000 to 22,000 dunums
Agricultural exports increased from JD 969 million to JD 1.529 billion
Agriculture’s contribution to GDP rose from JD 1.51 billion to JD 1.72 billion
Strategic grain reserves for wheat and barley maintained at a 12-month sufficiency level
Looking ahead, the session outlined priorities for the sector’s future programme, focusing on:
Enhancing rainwater harvesting and water resource management
Developing agricultural vocational education and training
Encouraging innovation and modern technology adoption
Institutionalising food security research and strengthening university partnerships
Expanding public-private partnerships for labour regulation and integrated services
Improving agricultural promotion, marketing and supply chain systems
Establishing accelerators and incubators for food industries under Ministry supervision
In his concluding remarks, Khreisat said that the undertaken efforts reflect a comprehensive national approach aimed at empowering the agricultural sector to overcome challenges and capitalise on growth opportunities.
He said the strategy will yield tangible benefits for farmers, investors and consumers, while positioning Jordan as a regional leader in sustainable agriculture and food security.
//Petra// AK
01/09/2025 20:18:40
