Mafraq, Oct. 15 (Petra) – The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mohammad Hiyari, on Wednesday inaugurated the 2025 olive pressing season during a ceremony held in the Umm al-Jimal area of Mafraq Governorate, selected for its historical, touristic, and agricultural significance, and its vast olive-growing areas.

During the ceremony, Hiyari announced Mafraq as the "Capital of Olives for 2025," recognizing its leading role in olive and olive oil production and the expansion of olive cultivation across the governorate, making it one of the Kingdom’s most prominent centers for this vital sector.

Hiyari underlined that the olive sector represents one of the main pillars of Jordanian agriculture, noting that olive trees constitute nearly 70 percent of all fruit trees in the Kingdom, reflecting the sector’s direct impact on Jordanian households through production, consumption, and its deep cultural heritage.

He noted that the ministry accords special attention to the olive season through technical and advisory programs for farmers, the modernization of olive presses, and efforts to ensure high-quality production in line with the best safety standards. He added that the National Olive Festival and the Jordanian Rural Products Exhibition aim to enhance consumer confidence in local olive oil and promote it as a reliable, high-quality national product.

Hiyari explained that declaring Mafraq the Capital of Olives aligns with the ministry’s vision to highlight the agricultural identity of each governorate and its comparative advantages in various sectors. He commended the farmers’ efforts in Mafraq for advancing production and improving oil quality.

He underscored the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural sector and encouraging investment in olive-based industries, given the sector’s economic, cultural, and heritage value deeply rooted in Jordanian society.

//Petra// AJ

15/10/2025 15:20:33