Amman, June 29 (Petra) -- The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Jordan, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, on Sunday launched a new Japanese-funded project to address the impact of drought, water scarcity and climate change on the Kingdom's agricultural sector.

Addressing the ceremony, Assistant Secretary-General for Marketing of the Ministry of Agriculture, Khalil Amr, said drought-related challenges transcend national borders, underscoring the need to strengthen collective action, expand knowledge exchange and technology transfer, increase climate finance, invest in scientific research and innovation, and build effective partnerships among governments, international organizations, the private sector and local communities to develop more efficient, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.

Japanese Ambassador Hideki Asari reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting Jordan's climate adaptation efforts, saying the project offers a timely response to the severe effects of drought at both the institutional and community levels, while creating livelihood opportunities in the most vulnerable areas. He said the initiative supports the Kingdom's efforts to achieve sustainable growth.

Acting FAO Representative in Jordan Paul Opio said promoting agroecological and climate-smart agricultural practices in vulnerable areas is an investment in both immediate adaptation needs and long-term resilience. He added that building drought-resilient agricultural systems is essential to strengthening food security and economic stability.

According to a FAO statement, the project, titled "From Scarcity to Sustainability: Building Adaptive Drought Interventions in Agriculture – Climate Adaptation and Enhancing Jordan's Drought Resilience," targets around 380 beneficiaries, including smallholder farmers from refugee and host communities, women-led cooperatives, and Ministry of Agriculture staff in Ajloun, Jerash and the Northern Shouneh area.

The project will be implemented in cooperation with the National Agricultural Research Center.

Project activities include distributing agricultural inputs, establishing demonstration sites for climate-smart agricultural practices, and strengthening institutional capacities for drought preparedness and water resources management.

//Petra// NQ