Jordan mulls conflicts, climate change on World Food Day

AMMAN — Jordan on Thursday joined the international community in marking World Food Day, which is celebrated annually in honour of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

“Climate is changing, food and agriculture must too” was the theme for this year’s food day, in recognition of food security as one of the biggest challenges related to climate change. 

“Climate change is posing a main threat to world food security and development efforts to eradicate poverty. The goal to end hunger by 2030 is indeed an ambitious one, but reaching it is not possible without addressing the impact of climate change,” HRH Princess Basma said. 

Speaking at the ceremony, she cited the impact of armed conflicts in the region on agricultural areas. 

FAO Representative in Jordan Nasredin Hag Elamin noted that climate change is already resulting in “erratic” weather patterns and more pest and disease outbreaks, which are affecting agricultural productivity and undermining global food security. 

“In general, climate change continues to impede our efforts to end hunger, including other forms of malnutrition, by 2030. According to recent statistics, nearly 800 million people remain food insecure and almost 160 million children under the age of five are stunted,” he said. 

On the other hand, the UN official noted that World Food Day 2016 is an opportunity to “stimulate our thought process... [on] how best to respond to these challenges”.

While acknowledging the Kingdom’s efforts to develop strategies to adapt to climate change, he stressed the need for more work, especially to overcome water issues facing the country. 

“Jordan and its agricultural sector will no doubt suffer from its [climate change] adversities unless we implement comprehensive measures to promote resilience in agriculture,” Hag Elamin underlined. 

Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat cited the Kingdom’s commitment to unify efforts in cooperation with the World Food Programme to enhance food security.

According to FAO, the world’s poorest — many of whom are farmers, fishers and pastoralists — are being hit hardest by higher temperatures and an increasing frequency in weather-related disasters.

In addition, the influx of refugees to some areas, like parts of Jordan, has amplified the issue, particularly in light of the scarce water resources, an issue that has been the focus of Khetam Malkawi, The Jordan Times’ reporter who won FAO’s first Media Award for the Near East and North Africa. 

In her story, titled “Urban gardening project’s pilot phase in Mafraq, Irbid bears fruits”, published in the JT in September, Malkawi highlighted the impact of promoting soilless agriculture on the local communities. 

“The project was vital in empowering families hit-hard by the influx of Syrian refugees. It helped them in food security and cutting expenses. If implemented on a wider scale, the project would have a tremendous impact on people,” she noted. 

Twenty journalists from different countries in the region participated in the FAO media award, submitting more than 50 print media, online, TV and radio reports, covering “vital topics” on food and agriculture.

FAO launched the award to raise awareness of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as to encourage “creative communication” throughout the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016 to 2025), adopted by the UN General Assembly, according to a FAO statement.

“If it wasn’t for the support I received at the JT, I wouldn’t have won this regional award,” noted Malkawi , whose experience in journalism extends to a broad range of beats including politics, health, foreign relations and tourism as well as the Syrian refugee crisis.

Working at the JT since 2008, she won third place in the Jordanian-European Award for Excellence in Writing for a report on child labour in 2011.

Princess Basma honoured Malkawi at Thursday’s ceremony as well as other figures who support FAO’s activities in Jordan.