Agriculture Ministry, ILO sign afforestation agreement

AMMAN — The Agriculture Ministry and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on Wednesday signed an agreement for the afforestation of 4,000 dunums in Irbid and Jerash using cocoon technology.

The project costs JD3.5 million, JD2.5 million of which will be contributed by the ILO. Minister of Agriculture Khalid Hneifat noted that the agreement is one of the first procedures to include changing the form and route of afforestation through the use of more water-saving techniques, ensuring sustainability and employment opportunities for the youth, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Hneifat added that the agreement is in line with plans to shift to agricultural economics in some areas through planting trees that have an economic impact on local communities. As per the agreement, some 100,000 forest trees will be planted, which will contribute to the employment of 1,500 workers throughout the duration of the project.