King Abdullah of Jordan has urged the government to expedite implementation of the national plan for sustainable agriculture, which includes rehabilitating state-owned land for agricultural projects.
During a meeting held at Al Husseiniya Palace, attended by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, the king highlighted the importance of continuous outreach to Jordanians across the kingdom.
He urged the government to update the people on agricultural projects in their areas and enable them to contribute to the success and sustainability of these projects.
At the meeting, held in line with the king’s regular follow up on progress in this vital sector, he said the national plan for sustainable agriculture has to complement food security plans, stressing the need for clarity on food security requirements.
For his part, Prime Minister Khasawneh said the higher council for food security, whose bylaw was recently endorsed, will have an important executive role, as it provides the government with studies forecasting developments in food security and agriculture.
He added that the council will work in partnership with the private sector and the concerned state institutions.
Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat gave an overview of progress in the national plan for sustainable agriculture during the first half of this year, including 13 completed projects out of 15, with delays in two projects due to technical seasonal issues.
Key implemented projects include Al Hammad and Al Sarhan Basins, reactivating a number of idle agri-stations, the agriculture loan program, and the agro-industrial complex.