Amman, March 10 (Petra) -- The government has launched a package of strategic initiatives under the second Executive Program of the Economic Modernization Vision (2026–2029), targeting the agriculture and food security sector within the "High Value Industries" engine to strengthen research, innovation, and competitiveness while enhancing the efficiency of the national food security system.

The initiatives are designed to expand the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, support research and development, and improve Jordan’s capacity to compete in global agricultural markets. Implementation will take place through the initiative titled "Encouraging Modernization and Innovation in the Agricultural Sector and Expanding the Use of Modern Technologies," led by the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) during the 2026–2029 period.

According to the ministry, the agriculture and food security component of the Executive Program focuses on six strategic objectives: improving the business environment in the agricultural sector; advancing agricultural production while promoting sustainability and addressing climate change impacts; enhancing rural livelihoods and strengthening food security; promoting investment and knowledge infrastructure alongside advanced technologies; expanding opportunities in food industries and agricultural marketing while boosting the competitiveness of agricultural exports; and preserving biodiversity while developing ecosystems.

The program includes a range of initiatives aimed at supporting research, development, and innovation across the sector. These include developing innovative financing and agricultural insurance solutions to strengthen sector sustainability; expanding the adoption of modern agricultural technologies; promoting partnerships with the private sector to regulate labor and provide integrated agricultural services; establishing accelerators and incubators for value-added food products under the ministry’s supervision; supporting investment in agri-tech and food industry research and development; and advancing agricultural education and vocational training services.

The ministry said the total cost of implementing the Executive Program in the agriculture and food security sector is estimated at approximately JD64.5 million from the government’s general budget for 2027–2029, in addition to financing from the Agricultural Credit Corporation and contributions from the private sector.

The program also seeks to enhance Jordan’s competitiveness in agricultural production and food security, recognizing the sector’s role in opening new markets for Jordanian products and expanding exports. To achieve this goal, the ministry will implement initiatives focused on agricultural promotion and marketing, infrastructure and supply chain development, improved support services and production practices, and the establishment of cooperative societies and agricultural unions. The program will also include regulatory and policy reforms related to plant and animal resources.

In addition, the ministry will implement initiatives aimed at strengthening the legislative framework governing food safety to ensure the availability of safe and nutritious food. The measures are expected to raise farmers’ incomes and generate new employment opportunities in the agriculture and food security sector, while improving access to sustainable food supplies.

The ministry underlined that the private sector will play a central role in implementing the initiatives under the second Executive Program of the Economic Modernization Vision. Government efforts will focus on providing an enabling investment environment, while private sector participation will drive investment and project implementation.

NARC Director General Ibrahim Rawashdeh said agricultural scientific research and innovation represent a key pillar in achieving the objectives of the second phase of the Economic Modernization Vision. He highlighted the increasing reliance on scientific knowledge and advanced technologies to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and food security.

Rawashdeh noted that the center serves as the scientific arm of the Ministry of Agriculture, supporting national agricultural policies through applied research and the transfer of modern technologies to farmers and producers. Its research priorities include developing agricultural technologies, strengthening food security and sustainability, improving natural resource management, developing resilient plant varieties and livestock breeds, supporting agricultural value chains, and building research and applied capacities.

He added that addressing sector challenges remains a core focus of the center’s work, with researchers developing practical solutions to issues such as water scarcity, climate change, declining soil fertility, rising production costs, and agricultural pests and diseases. He also stressed the importance of improving irrigation efficiency through advanced water management systems and smart agriculture technologies, particularly given Jordan’s limited water resources.

Rawashdeh highlighted the role of the center’s agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship incubator in transforming research outcomes into commercially viable projects. The incubator supports entrepreneurs, researchers, and youth in developing innovative solutions for the agricultural sector and advancing climate-smart agriculture, digital agriculture, and modern production technologies to strengthen competitiveness and sustainable development.

He added that the next phase of the Executive Program will focus on expanding partnerships with universities, research institutions, the private sector, and international organizations to support innovation and agricultural entrepreneurship, enabling the transformation of research ideas into investment projects that contribute to economic growth.

Food security expert Fadel Zoubi said the second Executive Program positions agriculture and food security within the High Value Industries engine, one of the eight pillars of the Economic Modernization Vision. The strategy aims to transform Jordan into a regional hub for high-value agricultural and food production through projects designed to increase productivity, improve value chains, and attract investment in modern agriculture.

Zoubi noted that the program links its initiatives to measurable indicators, including increasing agricultural value added, improving competitiveness, and strengthening national food security. By integrating agriculture within the broader framework of industrial development, the program aims to shift the sector from a subsidy-driven model toward a strategic investment sector capable of contributing to economic growth and addressing food and climate challenges.

He added that innovation and technology represent a central component of the program, integrated within the entrepreneurship and innovation engine, which focuses on preparing qualified talent for emerging sectors such as smart agriculture. This includes developing climate-resilient crop varieties, introducing modern irrigation and production technologies, and utilizing big data to improve productivity and market access.

The program also promotes digital and smart agriculture through the introduction of agricultural information systems, advanced water-saving irrigation technologies, and renewable energy solutions in agricultural production. These measures will support real-time crop monitoring, pest and disease forecasting, and the adoption of best farming practices, while enhancing transparency and efficiency across agricultural value chains.

Through public-private partnerships, the program will also facilitate the adoption of modern agricultural technologies such as vertical farming and hydroponics, enabling food production in urban environments and reducing pressure on traditional agricultural land.

Zoubi added that the program incorporates initiatives aligned with the sustainable environment engine, which promotes environmentally responsible production methods and the transition toward a green economy. In the agricultural sector, this includes reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, expanding organic farming, and increasing the use of renewable energy in agricultural production.

The program also supports the rehabilitation of abandoned agricultural lands and the transition from seasonal cultivation to more stable and sustainable production systems, contributing to natural resource conservation, emissions reduction, and balanced agricultural growth that aligns productivity with environmental sustainability.

//Petra// AJ

10/03/2026 14:25:11