Amman, May 6 (Petra) -- Jordan has succeeded in maintaining food security and economic stability despite mounting regional and environmental challenges, Agriculture Minister Saeb Khreisat said on Wednesday, highlighting the kingdom’s continued investment in development and green innovation projects.

Khreisat made the remarks during the closing ceremony of the Innovative Small Green Projects Competition in Jordan, organized by the Jordanian Society for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship and Creativity in cooperation with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.

The minister said Jordan has managed to overcome regional disruptions and resource constraints while sustaining growth and continuing to implement development initiatives.

He added that the country has achieved notable progress despite limited natural resources, pointing to the role of Jordan’s scientific and intellectual capabilities in strengthening its regional standing.

"Jordan was, remains, and will continue to be an oasis of security and stability," Khreisat said, stressing that human capital remains the country’s most valuable resource and a key driver of national achievement.

He noted that the competition reflects broader efforts to support innovative projects capable of advancing agricultural, environmental, and industrial sectors while promoting sustainability and entrepreneurship.

For his part, President of the Jordanian Society for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship and Creativity Reda Al-Khawaldeh said the initiative created an important platform for encouraging innovation and supporting sustainability-focused small and medium-sized enterprises.

He said the competition provided entrepreneurs with opportunities to present projects related to the green economy while benefiting from training, mentoring, technical support, and financial assistance.

According to Al-Khawaldeh, the competition, launched in September 2024, received 210 project applications, with submissions spanning 13 sectors including eco-tourism, waste management and recycling, energy and transportation, water, climate technology, hydroponics, and food systems.

Following evaluation and qualification stages, 19 projects were selected for funding based on their innovative ideas and potential environmental and economic impact, he said.

The winning projects received total funding worth $365,000 and included initiatives focused on sustainable agriculture, environmentally friendly fertilizers, climate-smart farming technologies, agrivoltaic irrigation systems, carbon recycling solutions, and organic pest-control products.

Former Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Al-Dweiri, head of the competition’s advisory committee, said many of the participating projects focused on utilizing and protecting Jordan’s plant and animal genetic resources while promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Meanwhile, Khaled Khreisat, director general of the Academia-Industry Integration Platform and representative of the project’s executive team, said the selected projects aligned with green economy objectives aimed at supporting innovative SMEs and encouraging environmentally sustainable solutions.

The event also featured a specialized panel discussion on the role of green projects in Jordan’s economy and opportunities for financial and institutional support, with participation from government officials, agricultural researchers, and sustainability experts.

An exhibition showcasing participating projects and innovations was held alongside the ceremony, followed by presentations from winning teams amid calls to build on the competition’s outcomes to strengthen Jordan’s transition toward a greener and more sustainable economy.

//Petra// RZ