Amman, Dec 13 (Petra)- Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Mohammad al-Hyari, on Saturday opened a scientific day titled "Olive Season 2025 – Challenge and Confrontation," organized by the Nutrition and Food Processing Division at the Agricultural Engineers Association.

Al-Hyari said the olive sector represents a main pillar of food security and national agriculture, with around 11 million trees planted over an area of 600,000 dunums and production estimated at 180,000 tonnes of fruit, in addition to its role as a key source of income for thousands of families.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture is continuing its efforts to confront the sector’s challenges through agricultural extension services and practical solutions, particularly after production declined last season due to climate changes.

For his part, President of the Agricultural Engineers Association Ali Abu Nuqta said the event comes within the framework of the association's role, in partnership with relevant entities, to place the current olive oil season on the table of scientific research, given the specificity of this season and the decline in its productivity, in order to produce a scientific analysis and practical recommendations to protect a product that represents a Jordanian national identity and to strengthen its presence locally and globally.

In turn, head of the Nutrition and Food Processing Division, Mai Adnan, said the event aims to provide a serious scientific dialogue platform to present the reality and offer solutions that enhance the resilience of the olive sector.

The scientific day included a number of research papers discussing climatic factors affecting olive production, the use of olive mill waste, the reality of olive mills and their impact on olive oil quality, the role of women in the olive sector, oil quality, and the ethics of the olive oil pressing technician profession.

//Petra// AF