Latest news with #NARC
Ammon
20-05-2025
- Science
- Ammon
Experts at U.S. Embassy: The National Seed Bank is a Pioneer in Biodiversity Conservation
Ammon News - Professor Dr. Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Rawashdeh, Director General of the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), received a delegation from the U.S. Embassy in Amman. The delegation included Dr. Seckinger, Director of the Regional Environmental Office; Muhannad Shahwan, Agricultural Specialist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Jomertz, Economic Officer specializing in water and the environment; and Yara Abu-Laban, Regional Environmental Specialist. The visit aimed to gain insight into the operations of the National Seed Bank affiliated with NARC. During the visit, the U.S. Embassy delegation praised the leading role of the National Agricultural Research Center in conserving biodiversity and safeguarding plant heritage. They expressed the embassy's interest in future collaboration with the National Seed Bank to enhance biodiversity efforts. The delegation noted that NARC benefits from a new leadership that has advanced the scientific research environment and boasts extensive expertise in biodiversity, evidenced by 48 scientific papers published in this field. Dr. Al-Rawashdeh stated that the National Seed Bank was established under Royal directives and aligns with the Economic Modernization Vision and the National Sustainable Development Plan, which the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture is implementing. The Seed Bank focuses on the genetic characterization of wild relatives of local seeds, particularly those evaluated by NARC researchers for phenotypic traits to support breeding and crop improvement programs. He added that the center aims to expand research related to the integration of modern technologies such as tissue culture and molecular techniques in the evaluation of wild relatives and local landraces of economically valuable crops. This is to accelerate the development of economically viable varieties in line with national strategic goals aimed at enhancing food security. He also emphasized that NARC looks forward to joint efforts to position the region as a promising source of genetic diversity that can serve both the local area and the broader region.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Agriculture Ministry launches national campaign to support olive sector
AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Tuesday launched the National Campaign for the Integrated Management of Olive Trees. Representatives from the plant wealth and agricultural extension sectors, the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), and stakeholders in the olive industry participated in the event, held at the ministry headquarters, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Attendees also included representatives from the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers, the Jordanian Olive Products Exporters Association (JOPEA), President of the General Union of Jordanian Farmers Odeh Rawashdeh, and President of the Jordan Agricultural Engineers Association Ali Abu Nuqta. The campaign aligns with the Economic Modernisation Vision and the ministry's plan to achieve food security and enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, especially olives, considered a 'cornerstone' of Jordan's agricultural economy. It aims to promote the best agricultural and manufacturing practices, as well as climate-smart farming methods, through a series of field schools and training courses across all governorates. The ministry will fund 13 training courses and 19 field schools, with additional schools funded by international organisations, focusing on regions most affected by the olive fruit fly pest. Hneifat stressed that this collaborative campaign will contribute to the sector's development, especially through the vital role of agricultural extension services in delivering campaign messages to farmers through all available channels. He noted that addressing pests and enhancing olive oil quality will positively impact farmers and the national economy. The ministry will also track campaign outcomes and assess their impact on the agricultural sector, particularly the olive industry, which accounts for 72 per cent of Jordan's fruit-bearing trees, the minister noted. Hneifat added that these efforts will be carried out in coordination with the Agricultural Engineers Association, the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers and JOPEA. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Agriculture Ministry launches national campaign to support olive sector
Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Tuesday launches the National Campaign for the Integrated Management of Olive Trees, which aims to achieve food security and enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, especially olives (File photo) AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Tuesday launched the National Campaign for the Integrated Management of Olive Trees. Representatives from the plant wealth and agricultural extension sectors, the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), and stakeholders in the olive industry participated in the event, held at the ministry headquarters, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Attendees also included representatives from the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers, the Jordanian Olive Products Exporters Association (JOPEA), President of the General Union of Jordanian Farmers Odeh Rawashdeh , and President of the Jordan Agricultural Engineers Association Ali Abu Nuqta . The campaign aligns with the Economic Modernisation Vision and the ministry's plan to achieve food security and enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, especially olives, considered a 'cornerstone' of Jordan's agricultural economy. It aims to promote the best agricultural and manufacturing practices, as well as climate-smart farming methods, through a series of field schools and training courses across all governorates. The ministry will fund 13 training courses and 19 field schools, with additional schools funded by international organisations, focusing on regions most affected by the olive fruit fly pest. Hneifat stressed that this collaborative campaign will contribute to the sector's development, especially through the vital role of agricultural extension services in delivering campaign messages to farmers through all available channels. He noted that addressing pests and enhancing olive oil quality will positively impact farmers and the national economy. The ministry will also track campaign outcomes and assess their impact on the agricultural sector, particularly the olive industry, which accounts for 72 per cent of Jordan's fruit-bearing trees, the minister noted. Hneifat added that these efforts will be carried out in coordination with the Agricultural Engineers Association, the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers and JOPEA. Page 2
Ya Biladi
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Egypt rejects Algeria's invitation to military exercise with Polisario
A new twist has emerged in the military exercise planned by the North Africa Region Defense Committee (NARC), set to take place from May 21 to 27 in Algeria, with the participation of the Polisario Front. «The Arab Republic of Egypt has declined an invitation from Algeria to participate in a military activity alongside the terrorist Polisario Front», the Atlantic Defense Observatory revealed on X on Sunday, May 4. This information was confirmed to Yabiladi by a Moroccan security source, who cited «convergences of views» between Rabat and Cairo on several Arab and African issues. Egypt's refusal comes amid renewed tensions between Algeria and the United Arab Emirates — the main ally of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who has been in power since June 2014 — marked by a recent escalation in Algerian media rhetoric. It's worth noting that Egypt had previously participated in NARC meetings held in Algeria alongside the Polisario, both in May and November 2023. Algeria, which currently holds the rotating presidency of NARC, announced through its Prime Minister on July 21, 2024, in Accra — during the 6th coordination meeting of the AU Bureau and the heads of the eight Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms — that it was prepared to host a NARC military exercise before the end of 2024.
Ammon
30-04-2025
- Science
- Ammon
Prof. Al-Rawashdeh assumed his duties as NARC Director General
Ammon News - Professor Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Rawashdeh officially assumed his duties today as Director General of the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), following a Royal Decree endorsing the Council of Ministers' decision. He achieved the highest score in the competitive selection process, in accordance with the Government Leadership Al-Rawashdeh holds a Ph.D. in Biodiversity, Biotechnology, and Medicinal Plants from the University of Jordan. He brings extensive experience in research and academia, along with strong managerial and operational skills. To date, he has completed 35 specialized training courses—22 in biodiversity, gene banking, biotechnology, genetic modification, and gene transfer—plus three in agricultural statistical analysis and two in information technology, including full ICDL his distinguished career, Prof. Al-Rawashdeh has occupied key research and administrative roles. At NARC, he served as Director of Biotechnology and Research Stations and coordinated numerous local and international research initiatives. At Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, he was Dean of the College of Science, Vice Dean for Scientific Research, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Head of the Department of recognition of his scholarly productivity—over 28 published research papers—he received accelerated promotions in rank and salary in 2014 and again in 2017, positioning him for early advancement to full Professor. His contributions to scientific research include more than 48 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals and ten presentations at global and regional conferences. He has played an active role in graduate education, evaluating 28 master's theses, acting as second supervisor for 'Genetic Diversity of the Wild Artemisia Complex in Jordan,' and co-supervising the Ph.D. dissertation 'Genetic Relationships Among Thyme Species.'Prof. Al-Rawashdeh has represented Jordan at academic gatherings in 12 countries—Italy, Germany, France, Austria, South Korea, Malaysia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. He is a member of 27 national and international scientific organizations, including the Arab Science and Technology Foundation in the UAE. His excellence has been honored with three monetary awards from NARC for outstanding research and the Ideal Employee Award. He has also chaired multiple committees for parliamentary and municipal elections.
