Baqaa, August 27 (Petra) – Chair of the Higher Council for Science and Technology Prince Hassan bin Talal discussed the role of supporting small and home-based enterprises in driving economic growth, generating job opportunities and boosting productivity.

During a visit on Wednesday to the National Centre for Agricultural Research and the National Seed Bank in Aqaba, Prince El Hassan reviewed ongoing research projects and underlined the need for a more integrated approach to development.

He called for a greater focus on social justice, particularly in efforts to empower women and build the capacities of youth. He advocated for a comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategy to business development that aligns with national development goals.

Highlighting the agricultural sector as a national priority, he urged forging strategic partnerships between the Agricultural Research Centre and government institutions to advance a unified development vision.

He also called for transforming agricultural initiatives into drivers of economic development by leveraging opportunities for interdependent sustainability and integrating capital into a broader agricultural, economic and social framework.

Prince El Hassan reiterated the need to establish a robust, knowledge-based database that links water, food, energy and ecosystems ensuring its information is accurate and actionable.

He called for the urgency of achieving regional water cooperation in the Levant, with a focus on supporting the most vulnerable populations based on the scale of their needs.

Ibrahim Rawashdeh, Director General of the National Centre for Agricultural Research, spoke about the centre's contributions to agricultural science at national, regional, and global levels especially in the face of ongoing environmental degradation.

Rawashed revealed alarming figures, stating that 75% of global biodiversity is in decline, 45% of vegetation cover is under threat and around 20,000 plant species face extinction annually.

He said that 431 plant species are currently undergoing laboratory analysis at the centre, and efforts are underway to establish training facilities to protect and develop these species.

//Petra// AK

27/08/2025 19:04:23