King says sustainable agriculture plan must complement food security plans

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday checked on progress in implementing the national plan for sustainable agriculture (2022-2025) during a meeting held at Al Husseiniya Palace.

King Abdullah urged the government, during the meeting attended by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, to expedite implementation of the plan, which includes rehabilitating state-owned land for agricultural projects, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty highlighted the importance of continuous outreach to Jordanians across the Kingdom, to update them on agricultural projects in their areas and enable them to contribute to the success and sustainability of these projects.

At the meeting, held in line with the King’s regular follow up on progress in this vital sector, His Majesty said the national plan for sustainable agriculture has to complement food security plans, stressing the need for clarity on food security requirements.

For his part, Khasawneh said the higher council for food security, whose bylaw was recently endorsed, will have an important executive role, as it provides the government with studies forecasting developments in food security and agriculture.

He added that the council will work in partnership with the private sector and the concerned state institutions.

Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat gave an overview of progress in the national plan for sustainable agriculture during the first half of this year, including 13 completed projects out of 15, with delays in two projects due to technical seasonal issues.

According to Hneifat, the value of the private sector’s investments in implemented projects reached nearly JD59 million, and these projects have provided 8,819 job opportunities and 1,250 training opportunities.

Key implemented projects include Al Hammad and Al Sarhan Basins, reactivating a number of idle agri-stations, the agriculture loan programme, and the agro-industrial complex.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.