Amman, Oct 5 (Petra) – Agriculture Minister Saeb Khreisat said on
Monday that Department of Statistics figures for the second quarter
of 2026 underscored the sector’s key role as a key driver of economic
growth.

The farming sector achieved the highest growth rate among various
economic activities, 7.8 percent at constant prices compared to the
same period in 2025, with the sector’s contribution to the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) at 4.5 percent, the minister said.

Khreisat said the “outstanding” performance underscores the success
of government policies and programs implemented by the Ministry in
partnership with the private sector and farmers, which aimed to boost
productivity, improve natural resources efficiency, and expand export
markets for Jordanian produce.

Official data showed the national economy grew by 3 percent in the
second quarter of 2026, compared to 2.8 percent in the same period
last year, with the agricultural sector leading economic sectors in
growth rate terms, he pointed out.

The minister said the agricultural sector contributed directly to
overall economic growth by 0.34 percentage points out of the 3
percent, coming second only to the manufacturing sector, which
underscores the significant economic impact of agriculture on the
GDP.

The positive indicators stem from the implementation of the Economic
Modernization Vision and the 2026–2029 executive program, as well as
ministry policies supporting the agricultural sector and farmers, he
said.

Such policies include the agricultural calendar and subsidized
agricultural financing designed to promote the adoption of modern
farming technologies, stimulate agro-industries reliant on local
inputs, and boost agricultural exports via air and sea transport, the
minister said.

Khreisat pledged that the ministry will carry out strategic plans to
bolster national food security and enhance the competitiveness of
Jordanian agricultural products in both domestic and international
markets.

He said the agricultural sector’s achievements reflected its role as
a key driver of economic growth in the Kingdom amid the geopolitical
circumstances and food security challenges the region has recently
faced.

//Petra//SS