Agriculture Ministry, World Bank launch agri-food development programme

AMMAN — The Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation with the World Bank, on Tuesday launched a programme to enhance the resilience of the agriculture sector and develop the value chain and innovation (Ardi).

The objective of the programme is to promote the growth of Jordan's agriculture sector by improving its resilience to climate change, increasing competitiveness and inclusion, and ensuring food security in the medium to long  term. The programme began in January 2023 and will continue until 2028, according to a ministry statement.

Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat stressed that the agricultural and food sector is one of Jordan's most important sources of income and employment, especially in rural and Badia areas, adding that the industry “has untapped growth potential”. 

He added that the agricultural sector accounts for some 20 per cent of the country's commodity exports, yet, only approximately half of fruit and vegetable export potential has been achieved.

Hneifat said that several climate challenges and regional and health crises, such as climate change, water scarcity, the COVID-19 pandemic, the refugee crisis, the loss of major transport lines across Syria and the lack of investment in the supply chain, have all contributed to low competitiveness of agricultural commodities in domestic markets and the drop in exports.

For her part, World Bank Representative in Jordan, Holly Benner, said that the World Bank believes in the strong potential of Jordan's agri-food sector and its contribution to food security, economic growth and job creation, noting that the growth of the sector can be achieved in a sustainable and climate-sensitive manner.

Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation at the Dutch embassy in Jordan, Pier de-Vries, expressed his country's happiness in its role as a main contributor to the programme through the PROSPECTS Partnership.

He added that this project reflects three key priorities for Dutch development cooperation in Jordan: Supporting Jordanians and refugees with difficult conditions, enhancing water efficiency and climate resilience and enhancing job creation through private sector development.