Deir Alla, May 24 (Petra) – Representing the prime ministers of Jordan and Palestine, Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat and Palestinian Minister of Agriculture Rezq Salimia on Saturday inaugurated the new packaging and grading facility of the Jordanian Palestinian Agricultural Products Marketing Company (JPACO) in Deir Alla.

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of senators, MPs, senior government officials, representatives of international organizations, municipal leaders, and stakeholders from the agricultural sector across the Kingdom.

Hneifat said the new facility is a strategic hub for agricultural exports, especially within the framework of contract farming aimed at traditional and emerging markets, both regional and European. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the ministry’s efforts to support the agricultural value chain from production to export.

He noted that Jordan’s agricultural exports surpassed JD 1.5 billion last year, marking a record high. This growth, he said, is due to the ministry’s efforts in opening new markets and implementing the National Sustainable Agriculture Plan, which prioritizes marketing development and boosting local product competitiveness.

Minister Salimia highlighted the importance of expanding JPACO’s operations into Palestinian territories and proposed establishing a twin facility in Palestine to enhance integration across agricultural value chains. He expressed confidence in the company’s role in unlocking new markets and elevating the quality of Palestinian agricultural products for regional and international competition.

Abdul Halim Doujan, General Manager of JPACO, said the new facility houses one of the region’s most advanced production lines, capable of processing up to 7 tonnes per hour. Spanning 5,000 square meters, the line is fully automated and equipped with a smart camera system that ensures high-standard sorting and packing, thereby enhancing export efficiency.

He added that the facility marks a significant upgrade in the company’s preparations for the upcoming agricultural season, offering modern infrastructure to meet the expectations of global markets.

Representatives from the agricultural sectors of both Jordan and Palestine, including the head of the Jordanian Farmers Union and a Palestinian farmers’ representative, praised JPACO’s central role in organizing agricultural marketing and opening new markets for producers in both countries. They also highlighted the positive impact of adopting contract farming models, which ensure crop marketing and promote economic sustainability for farmers.

Speakers noted that JPACO has made a tangible contribution to supporting Palestinian farmers and strengthening their resilience by providing secure and organized marketing channels. This cooperation reflects a deepening Jordanian-Palestinian partnership in support of the agricultural sector.

The launch of the packaging and grading center in Deir Alla (northwest of Amman) is part of JPACO’s strategic plan to boost agricultural cooperation between Jordan and Palestine, enhance the agricultural marketing ecosystem in both countries, and build the necessary infrastructure to support a comprehensive agricultural renaissance grounded in innovation, export, and sustainability.

//Petra// AF
24/05/2025 20:28:26