Amman, Apr. 1 (Petra) -- The National Center for Research and Development (NCRD) on Wednesday concluded the "Ecosystem-based Agriculture Resilience in the Levant through Agroforestry" project, implemented in cooperation with the Friends of Nature (FON) Association–Lebanon and supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
During the closing event, stakeholders presented the project’s outcomes and recommendations in a discussion session attended by government representatives and experts. Participants reviewed prospects for scaling up agroforestry applications and mechanisms to support the approach within Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision.
The project, aimed to enhance agricultural sector sustainability in the face of climate change, included training around 60 farmers in areas surrounding Ajloun Forest Reserve, as part of a regional program implemented in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Head of the center, Mohammed Wedyan, said the institution focuses on national priorities with global dimensions, including water resource management, food security, climate change adaptation, renewable energy and biotechnology. He stressed the importance of building regional and international partnerships to ensure sustainable impact and adherence to environmental and ethical standards.
Wadyan added that scientific research is a key pillar linking human values with the knowledge economy, helping boost Jordan’s global competitiveness while fostering a culture of cooperation and shared responsibility in support of a balanced and sustainable society.
For her part, FON Association Secretary General, Myrna Semman, underscored the importance of integrating agroforestry into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as an effective tool to address climate change challenges and strengthen food security.
She noted that agroforestry represents an integrated model that brings together multiple sectors, calling for a review of agricultural policies to incorporate this approach into national plans, particularly given its role in land rehabilitation and improving agricultural productivity.
Semman emphasized the need to adopt agroforestry as a strategic framework in national policies, citing its contribution to environmental and economic sustainability and its role in enhancing community resilience to climate change.
//Petra// NQ
