PM attends agreement signing ceremony for food security project

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Thursday attended the signing of a grant agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for a project to enhance food security in Jordan.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Agriculture Ibrahim Shahahdeh and WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan Sarah Gordon in the presence of WFP Executive Director David Beasley, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

In press statements, the Minister of Agriculture stressed the importance of Jordan’s partnership with the WFP, which has been operating in the Kingdom since the 1960s.

The WFP is among the development partners the Ministry of Agriculture has identified in its plans to advance in the agricultural sector, he said, noting that the programme agreements that the ministry signs with various agencies aim to achieve a “direct and tangible” impact for farmers.

Shahahdeh noted that the project to enhance food security, which has a value of $1,400,000, aims to support three main elements.

The first of these elements is to support small farmers and enable them to improve their incomes so that they can move to modern techniques such as hydroponics and establish buildings for these crops and projects inside the agricultural stations spread throughout the Kingdom, he said.

The second element aims to support the governorates affected by the Syrian refugee situation and integrate the agricultural sectors, youth and women in their training and empowerment processes through agricultural activities, Shahahdeh noted.

 The project also aims to empower women working in the agricultural sector and train them in food processing, he said, noting that it will contribute to the employment of 30 people in nine governorates.

Prior to signing the agreement, Razzaz met with Paisley in the presence of Shahahdeh.

During the meeting, they discussed aspects of joint cooperation between the government and the WFP, reviewing the projects the programme is carrying out in Jordan.

The prime minister expressed appreciation for the WFP for the support it provides to Jordan within the framework of their strategic partnership since 1964 and for its contributions to providing the humanitarian and nutritional needs of refugees.

Razzaz also listened to a briefing from Paisley on the WFP’s plans and projects in Jordan and many Arab countries, during which the executive director pointed to the programme’s keenness to provide food aid and meet the humanitarian needs of refugees and displaced persons due to wars.