Amman, June 25 (Petra) The Hashemite Fund for the Development of the Jordan Badia (HFDB) organised a workshop on Wednesday titled "Samh Plant: Reality and Aspirations Towards Sustainable Development."

Princess Basma bint Ali, Chair of the HFDB Board of Trustees discussed forming partnerships between local communities, research institutions and national organisations to promote sustainability in the production and utilisation of the samh plant, noting that the plant is an important cultural and heritage asset.

She called for developing a sustainable food value chain through genuine, collaborative efforts involving the HFDB, research centres, academia, the Royal Botanic Garden, local communities and the private sector.

She called for the formulation of a comprehensive short- and long-term plan that involves all stakeholders in preserving the plant.

The plan, she added, should prioritise scientific research into the plant's seeds, parts and cultivation methods, aiming to transform samh into a market-ready Jordanian product within the next three years.

The opening ceremony saw the participation of Nabil Assaf, representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan; Mohammad Shahbaz, Director General of the Royal Botanic Garden; Mohammad Widyan, Director of the National Centre for Research and Development; along with academics, researchers from Jordanian universities and research centres and leaders of participating associations.

Omar Gharaibeh, HFDB Acting Director, stated that since its establishment by royal decree, the Fund has focused on identifying the needs of Badia communities and developing economically feasible projects.

He emphasised that the workshop aims to raise awareness about the samh plant's importance for conservation, food security, cultural heritage and sustainable development especially in the context of climate change and water scarcity.

Gharaibeh discussed the recommendations from 2024's samh festival and HFDB Chair's directives to establish a technical committee of experts in plant production, food processing and pharmaceuticals to support conservation efforts. The committee began its work earlier this year, setting clear, achievable goals.

Nabil Assaf said samh is a "natural treasure," rich in nutrients, proteins, fiber and minerals, making it a promising resource for enhancing food security in arid, climate-challenged environments.

Assaf added that scientific research and improved cultivation practices can help expand its use, benefit local livelihoods and generate sustainable income sources.

Shahbaz called for coordination between the HFDB and national research centres to preserve and propagate the samh plant, utilising the vast areas of the Jordanian Badia for development initiatives.

The workshop featured two sessions: the first discussed the potential nomination of samh for UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the role of the Royal Botanic Garden in conserving indigenous plants and the cultivation of wild samh in Jordan.

The second session focused on scientific research's role in securing samh's future, its nutritional value and methods of propagation.

On the sidelines of the event, the HFDB and the National Centre for Research and Development signed a memo to unify efforts, promote scientific collaboration and develop initiatives for preserving Jordanian natural resources, including the samh plant.

The agreement was signed by Omar Gharaibeh and Mohammed Widyan.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Her Royal Highness toured a bazaar showcasing various samh-based products.
//Petra// AK

25/06/2025 18:17:50