Deir Alla, Dec. 21 (Petra) –– Minister of Agriculture Khaled Huneifat said that a 200-dunum site in the Jordan Valley has been selected to establish a model agricultural food industry city, similar to the Southern Jordan Valley initiative. The site, located centrally and with accessible services, aims to boost agricultural manufacturing, absorb surplus production, create job opportunities for youth, and directly benefit farmers in the region.
Development Initiatives
During a tour with a number of officials, Huneifat emphasized the government’s commitment as outlined in the prime minister’s reply to the vote of confidence.
He also visited the new packing and grading center owned by the Jordanian-Palestinian Agricultural Products Marketing Company (JPACO), established on 31 dunums.
The center features:
– Workshop Space: 5,000 square meters, including 3,800 square meters of internal space with refrigeration units.
– Loading Docks & Offices: 1,200 square meters for loading and unloading.
– Storage Facilities: 500 square meters for equipment and tool storage.
Export Hub
The center is a key export station serving Europe, the Gulf, and neighboring countries. It offers packaging services to farmers and traders targeting international markets.
Huneifat highlighted the advanced machinery acquired for packaging, grading, and wrapping, with a production capacity of 10 tons per hour, offering new employment opportunities to the local community.
JPACO’s Role
Abdul Haleem Dawjan, JABACO’s Director-General, outlined the company’s joint ownership by the Jordanian and Palestinian governments with a capital of JD12 million. Operational since 2022, the company alternates leadership between the two governments every two years.
Key objectives include:
– Exporting Jordanian and Palestinian products.
– Building a competitive edge, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Gulf.
– Promoting post-harvest technology and quality awareness among farmers.
– Supporting local economies and strengthening farmers’ resilience in Jordan and Palestine.
Private Sector Engagement
Investor Rakan Al-Ghananeem emphasized overcoming marketing challenges in agriculture through royal support, turning obstacles into opportunities.
He added that his company has facilitated financial and technical support for farmers, created a network of agricultural engineers for free consultations, and signed international agreements in Russia and Europe to export Jordanian products.
Al-Ghananeem introduced a profit-sharing model with farmers, whereby the company retains a fixed profit margin, redistributing surplus earnings to farmers to encourage better production practices.
He is also working on establishing an integrated company to address agricultural needs, including land preparation, marketing, and exploring new markets to ensure sustainability in agricultural exports.
//Petra// AF
21/12/2024 22:04:58
