AMMAN, Sept. 2 (Petra) - Nestled against the backdrop of world-renowned ancient history, the Petra region is stepping into a new spotlight this year as it proudly bears the title of "Capital of Jordanian Olives for 2026." The designation shines a well-deserved light on a deeply rooted agricultural legacy, underscoring the vital economic, environmental, and tourism-driven roles that the olive tree plays in the lives of local communities.

The selection honors Petra’s rich agrarian assets, heritage groves, ancient centuries-old trees, and unique local cultivars that have long defined the landscape of the southern district.

Akef Thunaibat, director of the Petra Region Agriculture Directorate, told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the capital title serves as a powerful platform to showcase the area's agricultural wealth. He noted that the directorate works hand-in-hand with local farmers to preserve historic orchards, promote climate-resilient crop varieties, deliver targeted agricultural extension services, and monitor for pests to safeguard yield quality.

"The Ministry of Agriculture looks at Petra through a dual lens: one eye on the historic city and its monumental civilizational, tourism, and economic footprint, and the other on agriculture-specifically olive cultivation-for the immense developmental value it brings to farmers and the local community," Thunaibat stated.

He emphasized that the olive tree is an inseparable component of local identity, capable of serving as a powerful anchor for agritourism. By bridging the agricultural and tourism sectors, visitors can connect directly with artisanal products crafted by families and growers across the district.

According to the Petra Region Agriculture Directorate, olive groves span roughly 6,700 dunums across the area. Predominant cultivars include Nabali, Improved Nabali, and the historic Roman (Baladi) variety, alongside ancient trees whose lifespans stretch back centuries.

Local farmer Khalifa Hilalat shared that olive cultivation forms the fabric of daily life in Petra, noting that many groves have been passed down through generations, carrying with them ancestral traditions of care, harvesting, and production.

"The choice of Petra as Jordan's Olive Capital expands marketing pathways for olive oil and its derivatives, helping bring our authentic local produce straight to international and domestic visitors," Hilalat said.

Fellow farmer Nadhir Hasanat echoed this sentiment, underscoring the tree's dual economic and cultural significance. He stressed the importance of preserving ancient woodlands, expanding cultivation, and tightening collaboration between growers and official bodies. Integrating farm goods with the tourism economy, he added, creates unique opportunities to introduce travelers to regional bounties and encourage local patronage.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Directorate remains active in the field, tracking tree health, deploying countermeasures against pests such as the olive fruit fly, and guiding farmers on optimal pest management practices as the harvest season approaches.

The "Petra: Capital of Jordanian Olive 2026" initiative aims to weave local olive products deeper into the tourism narrative by streamlining production awareness, linking producers directly with hospitality enterprises, hotels, restaurants, and local markets.

Beyond agricultural output, the initiative unlocks economic opportunities for women, youth, productive households, and small-business owners, ensuring that local communities reap direct benefits from Petra’s global tourism prominence.

//Petra// AA