Agriculture specialists call for gov’t help to overcome sector woes

AMMAN — Specialists in the Agriculture sector on Tuesday called on the government to increase its efforts to identify arable lands.

President of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) Abdelhadi Falahat told The Jordan Times that the agriculture sector had been facing numerous challenges even before onset of the COVID-19 crisis.

"The agriculture sector has been suffering from various problems, including rumours regarding the quality of products. There must be proper mechanisms to promote our products," Falahat said.

He highlighted the lack of foreign labour as foreign workers have left the country following the COVID-19 crisis as one of the prominent challenges currently facing the sector, adding that the mass departure has "created a gap in the sector".

Meanwhile, the sector's energy bill is increasing and "adding more burdens on farmers, which will be reflected in their production", Deputy President of the Agricultural Engineers Association Nuhad Olaimi told The Jordan Times.

"The increase in energy costs will reflect on the level of competition within our region, and we will not be able to compete with other markets," Olaimi noted. 

The deputy president added that he is hopeful that the government will facilitate financial support and low interest rates to help farmers "overcome the economic hardships that have resulted from COVID-19".

On May 31, His Majesty King Abdullah called for stepping up efforts to develop local product specifications and quality, as well as expand the pharmaceutical, medical supplies and food processing industries to cover domestic needs and increase exports.

At a meeting with the steering committee to support the national pharmaceutical, medical supplies and food processing industries at Al Husseiniya Palace, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, King Abdullah urged identifying an entity to implement the expansion of these industries within a clear timeframe, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty noted the importance of identifying agricultural land in Jordan and the types of crops best suited for cultivation.

The steering committee was formed by Royal directives in mid-April to expand local production of food, medicine and medical supplies.

On May 10 during a visit to a farm project, King Abdullah stressed the importance of helping Jordanian farmers shift from traditional farming to value-added agricultural products and target export markets.

King Abdullah, accompanied by the Crown Prince, commended entrepreneurial agricultural projects and their capacity to generate jobs, noting the importance of maintaining public safety procedures.