Amman, June 23 (Petra) — Agriculture Minister Saeb Khraisat and
Director General of the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and
Dry Lands (ACSAD) Naser Eddin Al Obaid on Tuesday discussed ways to
strengthen cooperation and advance development projects supporting
Jordan’s agricultural sector.

Talking at the meeting held at the Agriculture Ministry’s
heaquarters, Khraisat highlighted the ministry’s “strategic”
partnership with ACSAD, stressing the center’s role in supporting
“sustainable” agricultural development through research and applied
projects and the transfer of modern technologies.

He said these efforts contribute to enhancing food security and
improving “efficiency” of natural resource use, particularly amid
climate change challenges and water scarcity.

He underscored the ministry’s commitment to expanding scientific and
technical cooperation with ACSAD in livestock improvement and
development, and combating the red palm weevil using advanced
scientific practices.

In this context, he said the ministry would strengthen the National
Seed Bank’s role in preserving plant genetic resources, and implement
water harvesting, rangeland management and crop productivity
projects.

For his part, Al Obeid reviewed ACSAD’s key projects in Jordan,
describing the Kingdom as a “model partner” due to the implementation
of specialized initiatives in rangeland development, water
management, land reclamation and the development of drought-tolerant
crop varieties, in addition to capacity-building, training and
knowledge-transfer programs.

He said ACSAD is “keen to broaden” cooperation with the ministry in
the coming period through new projects aimed at addressing the
impacts of climate change, promoting sustainable agricultural
development and enhancing the resilience of the agricultural sector
in line with government priorities and the Economic Modernization
Vision.

The two sides agreed to continue coordination on agricultural
programs and projects and strengthen technical and scientific
cooperation to improve natural resource management, support food
security and advance sustainable development.

//Petra// NQ