Irbid, July 30 (Petra)-- European Union Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas visited the "Eksab" Center for Sustainable Development in Irbid on Thursday to review its development programs and initiatives, with a particular focus on its hydroponic farming model.
The visit aimed to showcase the model implemented under the EU-funded Baraka Project, and was attended by representatives of the Royal Scientific Society, along with project partners and agricultural experts.
Ambassador Chatzisavas reaffirmed the strong partnership between the European Union and Jordan in advancing development through investment in human capital and strengthening national institutions.
He stressed the EU's continued support for initiatives that promote sustainable development, foster innovation, enhance resilience to climate change, and improve food security.
He also commended the Royal Scientific Society for its leading role in supporting innovation and developing solutions to address climate challenges while contributing to national food security.
Director of the Water, Environment and Climate Change Center at the Royal Scientific Society, Al-Moayyad Al-Sayyed, outlined the objectives of the Baraka Project, describing it as an advanced model for transferring knowledge and technology, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and improving water-use efficiency.
For his part, Irbid Agriculture Director Abdul Hafiz Abu Arabi said the Ministry of Agriculture is committed to strengthening cooperation with civil society organizations and development partners. He noted that the directorate is implementing a range of development projects aimed at modernizing the agricultural sector, improving opportunities for farmers, and encouraging the adoption of modern agricultural practices.
Eksab Center Director General Mazen Abu Qamar welcomed the ambassador's visit, describing it as an incentive to expand partnerships and develop high-impact initiatives in economic empowerment and capacity building. He said the Baraka Project has enhanced the center's technical infrastructure and enabled the establishment of a specialized training platform for climate-smart hydroponic farming technologies.
During the meeting, lawyer Yanal Abu Qamar delivered a presentation on the center's history, key projects, and strategic partnerships. The session was moderated by engineer Ghada Baalawi.
The visit concluded with a tour of the center's facilities, where the ambassador and attendees received a detailed briefing on the hydroponic farming system, its operation, and its role in increasing crop productivity while reducing water consumption.
//Petra// MF
