Cornerstone laid for centre for permanent exhibition of rural, agricultural products in Irbid

AMMAN — Deputising for Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat on Saturday laid the cornerstone for centre for the permanent exhibition of rural and agricultural products in Irbid, in the presence of Chairman of Irbid Reconstruction Foundation and former prime minister Abdul Raouf Rawabdeh and a number of dignitaries from the northern governorate.

During the opening ceremony, Hneifat said that with this project, the ministry has concluded all initiatives, programmes and projects of the 2022 National Plan for Sustainable Agriculture, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Complementing other projects, the project aims to promote and sustain rural development, which constitutes a main priority for the government, he said.

He described the multi-purpose exhibition, which has begun operating in Irbid, as “an important developmental and marketing lever and platform with a positive impact on rural development”.

He also lauded the efforts exerted by the Irbid Reconstruction Foundation in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Greater Irbid Municipality to materialise this project.

The ministry's 2022 National Plan for Sustainable Agriculture featured 65 water harvesting initiatives, which included the construction of 63 boreholes and dams, and 2,500 water collection wells, of which 500 are located in Irbid and providing maintenance of 8,000 metres of canals.

As part of the plan, interest-free loans were granted, with a total value of JD30 million and directed to agricultural producers.

In addition, a permanent exhibition in Amman was established, with an area of ​​8,000 square metres and a total cost of JD12 million, with the aim of creating a regional and international marketing platform for local products.

He affirmed the ministry’s support for any agricultural manufacturing project in Al Hassan Industrial City by providing rental fees for hangars for a period of five years to encourage the food processing sector.

Hneifat referred to efforts to protect forests, expand agriculture, and establish economic forests using the cocoon technology, in addition to exploiting water generated by companies and stations, which constitutes a major achievement in light of the impacts of climate change.

He stressed the importance of continuing partnerships with the private sector and support for investment in agriculture, in order to achieve food security, highlighting the ministry's offering of agricultural stations for investment, of which 36,000 dunums in Sarhan and Hammad basins, and food projects in industrial cities.

The Irbid permanent exhibition for rural and agricultural products, to which the Ministry contributed an amount of JD1 million, in cooperation with the Irbid Construction Foundation, will support individuals, associations and farmers in Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun and Mafraq.

The exhibition centre, with a total area of 4,300 square metres, includes three areas, 15 kitchens, popular markets, administrative offices, and book fairs.

The exhibition centre's tender will be extended to 300 working days, and the total cost of the project is likely to reach about JD3 million.