Amman, January 7 (Petra) – The Senate's Agriculture and Water Committee, chaired by Dr. Akef Zoubi, discussed contribution of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to the Kingdom's agriculture and water sectors.

During a committee meeting held on Wednesday, attended by FAO Representative in Jordan, Nabil Assaf, Zoubi said the discussion aimed to review the organization's programs in the Kingdom's agriculture and water sectors and discuss its "pivotal" role in enhancing food security in the targeted sectors.

Zoubi commended the meeting of the FAO Regional Director, Dr. AbdulHakim Elwaer, and his recent visit to the Kingdom with ambassadors from donor countries to strengthen cooperation with Jordan.

For his part, Assaf reviewed the organization's work program in the Kingdom's agriculture and water sectors and its priorities in achieving "sustainable" development in cooperation with the Jordanian government within the framework of the Economic Modernization Vision.

Assaf outlined the organization's four action priorities and the targeted development outcomes, adding that the first aims to improve productivity of smallholder farmers and their access to markets, which will be supported by digitizing the Kingdom's agricultural sector and promoting artificial intelligence to improve water efficiency.

The second priority focuses on ensuring governance of sustainable food systems and strengthening national capacities for evidence-based policies and practices to enhance food security, he pointed out.

Meanwhile, he noted the third priority focuses on the "sustainable" management of natural resources, supporting disaster risk reduction, risk management, and early warning systems to provide resilient rural livelihoods.

Assaf stated the fourth priority aims to transform Jordan into a "regional" hub for food security, build an investment portfolio for agricultural development, secure financing, and strengthen the agricultural statistics system.

Assaf commended the proactive royal vision for enhancing food security through the strategic stockpile project.

Additionally, Assaf addressed the organization's role in providing expertise and technical support, strengthening institutional capacities, coordinating regional cooperation, and stimulating innovation.

Assaf emphasized the continued collaboration with ministries in the water, agriculture, environment, and energy sectors to achieve the objectives of the royal vision for economic modernization.

Despite the challenges of water scarcity in the Kingdom, he referred to sustainability in agriculture, pointing to the partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture, Water, and Environment in promoting governance and transparency, addressing climate change, and managing alternative energy. In turn, the committee members commended the FAO's cooperation in Jordan and its efforts in pursuing the priorities of its action program, emphasizing their partnership with the organization to achieve food security, water harvesting, and the optimal use of natural resources.

//Petra// AG