Amman, Feb. 2 (Petra) -- Jordan’s Minister of Agriculture, Saeb Khraisat, met on Monday with Syrian Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr and an accompanying delegation to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector.

The meeting focused on developing the agricultural sector and exchanging technical expertise to support sustainable food security in both countries.

Areas of cooperation included modern agriculture, water resource management and harvesting, pest and plant-animal disease control, technical expertise exchange, and capacity building.

Khraisat stressed collaboration in animal wealth, veterinary services, cross-border disease control, veterinary quarantine, surveillance and monitoring, and early warning systems, highlighting cooperation with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in these fields.

The ministers also discussed key issues, including boosting agricultural trade between Jordan and Syria, facilitating the flow of agricultural goods, mechanisms for transit of products through Syrian territory for export, and activating the quadrilateral agricultural cooperation agreement involving Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.

Khraisat highlighted the establishment of Jordan’s seed bank and the country’s advances in seed production technology, fertilizers, pesticides, and high-quality local crop varieties, stressing the importance of private sector collaboration between the two countries to rebuild Syria’s agricultural sector.

Badr noted the current challenges and opportunities in the Syrian agricultural sector, appreciating Jordan’s commitment to cooperation and knowledge exchange, and exploring support in combating plant and animal pests, forestry, and broader agricultural resources.

The ministers reaffirmed the deep brotherly relations between Jordan and Syria and underscoring the importance of continuing joint efforts to enhance agricultural cooperation, serving mutual interests and strengthening the sector’s capacity to face challenges and achieve sustainable development.

//Petra// NQ