Work regulation in agri sector key to maintaining self-sufficiency — JFU

AMMAN — The Jordan Farmers Union (JFU) on Tuesday called for a review of legislation and regulations governing work in the agricultural sector in order to preserve Jordan’s self-sufficiency in agriculture.

JFU President Mahmoud Oran said the country “enjoys self-sufficiency for all agricultural produce throughout the year” due to the seasonal planting in three areas in the Kingdom. 

“We face three main problems in the agricultural sector, mainly climate change, challenges pertaining to laws regulating work in the agricultural sector and the repercussions of regional political developments on exports,” Oran told The Jordan Times.

“As for addressing the impact of climate change, we must integrate scientific research to produce crop varieties that adapt to climate change,” Oran said. 

Secretary-General at the Ministry of Agriculture Mohammad Al Hiari said in a statement that Jordan has self-sufficiency in most types of vegetables and fruits, and for some varieties it reached 140 per cent.

He said that Jordan’s production of wheat and barley last year stood at around 20,000 tonnes, which he attributed to weak rainfall in southern regions.

Hiari also highlighted the launch of the sustainable development plan for the year 2022, stressing its most prominent feature as the agricultural industrialisation project.

He referred to investment opportunities for agro-industries in industrial cities, and the formation of a committee for this purpose. This resulted in the signing of agreements for five production lines in cooperation with the Industrial Estates Company.

As for agricultural manufacturing, the Ministry of Agriculture affirmed its willingness to pay rent for each investment project affiliated with the Industrial Estates Company.