Amman, December 16 (Petra) – The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), launched a project on Monday to transform Jordan's agri-food system toward greater sustainability and resilience.

According to a ministry statement, the project, funded by the Sustainable Development Goals Fund, aims to foster systematic change through integrated economic, social, and environmental policies. The project also seeks to attract public and private funding, which will help accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat stressed the importance of shifting toward a more sustainable and resilient agri-food system in order to ensure food security and address the growing regional challenges. These challenges include limited natural resources, particularly water, and the increasingly severe impacts of climate change.

Hneifat also noted that Jordan has made significant strides to ensure sufficient food for its population, including the launch of the National Food Security Strategy 2021-2030, as well as its accompanying action plan. The country has also adopted strategies aimed at transforming its food systems into more efficient and sustainable systems.

FAO Representative in Jordan, Nabil Assaf, explained that the joint program builds on the FAO’s ongoing efforts in the country to enhance capacities, foster knowledge exchange, and implement effective policies for developing a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agri-food system in Jordan.

UNIDO Representative in Jordan, Sulafa Madanat, highlighted the significance of leveraging the added value of food processing to fully unlock the potential of food systems. She emphasized that the organization is committed to supporting the Jordanian government in these transformation projects.

//Petra// AJ

16/12/2024 17:47:43