Amman, April 16 (Petra) – In response to mounting water scarcity and challenges posed by climate change, Prince Zeid bin Al Hussein Vocational Secondary School in Karak on Wednesday inaugurated a sustainable, smart, deep irrigation system, which was launched through a joint initiative between the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) and the Ministry of Education.

The project marks a significant advancement in promoting environmental sustainability and optimizing the use of water resources.

By leveraging advanced irrigation technologies, the initiative aims not only to support agriculture, but to raise community awareness on the importance of water conservation as well.

During the ceremony, Ahmed Mahadin, Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Directorate of Education in Al-Qasr District, lauded the royal vision to enhance national institutions, and acknowledged the RSS’s role in advancing irrigation technologies amid decreasing rainfall.

School principal Ibrahim Kafawin expressed gratitude to the RSS team for their commitment to introducing farmers and students to smart irrigation practices that enhance water efficiency.

Moayyad Sayed, Director of the RSS’s Water, Environment, and Climate Change Center, pointed to the "productive" collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the school administration, emphasizing the project's contribution to localizing knowledge and supporting vocational training in sustainable agriculture.

Sayed explained that the system serves as a practical training model for both agricultural and vocational education.

The project is part of the EU-funded "Baraka" project, which is being implemented across several Jordanian governorates.

The event drew participation from local officials, community members, and farmers, some of whom offered to open their farms for training to extend the benefits of the project.

Hussam Al-Haj Ali, Head of the Food Security Department, and Abdul Ghani Arab, Climate Change Department specialist, highlighted the RSS’s commitment to adopting climate-smart agricultural tools to promote food security, especially in southern regions of the Kingdom.

Attendees toured the school's olive grove, where Ali Rawashdeh, director of the implementing company, demonstrated how the deep irrigation system functions by delivering water directly to plant roots.

He also showcased components of the smart irrigation system, such as moisture sensors, electrical valves, and an electronic control panel integrated with online weather stations for automated irrigation scheduling.

//Petra// AO

16/04/2025 14:23:37