Amman, Sept. 7 (Petra) - The Lower House's Agriculture and Water Committee examined on Monday the primary issues facing the agricultural sector, including Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF) projects, central market fees, Jordan Valley banana farming challenges, and the role of agricultural research.

Committee Chair Ahmad Shdefat stressed the need to protect local farmers, align institutional investments with royal directives on food security, and ensure that SSIF agricultural projects complement, rather than compete with, local producers.

He also called for reducing marketing costs and lowering fees at the Amman Central Market to ease farmers' operational burdens.

Minister of Transport and Labor Nidal Qatamin outlined joint initiatives with the Vocational Training Corporation to train and employ local labor across four governorates, noting ongoing plans to provide transportation for workers in the Jordan Valley.

Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khraisat pointed to growth in the Kingdom's agricultural exports despite regional challenges, saying the ministry's focusing on high-value, export-oriented crops in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.

Addressing market overhead, Greater Amman Municipality Committee Head Ahmad Malkawi announced a fee reduction at the central export yard, easing the previous JD10 per ton charge on incoming produce.

Meanwhile, SSIF officials reassured lawmakers that social security investments prioritize high-yield crops to strengthen food security without undercutting domestic farmers.

The meeting concluded with lawmakers and agricultural stakeholders agreeing to maintain coordination to lower production costs, safeguard local produce, and enhance regional competitiveness.

//Petra// HA