Latest news with #NationalSeedBank
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.
Jordan Times
03-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Key growth drivers of Jordan's economy
The government's Q1 2025 report on the Economic Modernization Vision (2023–2025) shows clear progress in four main areas that support growth: investment, quality of life, making Jordan a global destination, and sustainable resources. These areas have seen real improvements in laws, infrastructure, and easier procedures. This is supported by data and completed projects. The government is now clearly working within the framework of the Economic Modernization Vision, which is Jordan's roadmap for achieving sustainable growth by focusing on key parts of the economy. In 2024, macroeconomic indicators showed stability. The economy grew by 2.5 per cent and inflation stayed low at 2.21 per cent. GDP per person reached 3,228 dinars. The budget deficit after aid remained low at 0.7 per cent of GDP. Foreign currency reserves were $22 billion in March 2025, enough to cover 8.5 months of imports. Foreign direct investment reached 1,122 million dinars. Imports totaled 1,623 million dinars, while exports were 703 million dinars. Attracting investment is a key government goal. More than 5,200 companies have registered on the investment services platform since 2023. This shows that the business environment is improving. The government is working to bring in more foreign investment and improve public services using tools like Salesforce. This helps attract investors in key sectors such as mining, chemicals, and logistics. Industry is also an important growth driver. It fits under the 'high-value industries' part of the modernization plan. In 2024, manufacturing exports reached 6.827 billion dinars. The sector adds strong value to the economy and continues to grow. The government has given financial incentives to 94 industrial companies and launched support programs for small and medium industries. This helps local companies grow and compete globally. Agriculture and food security are also key for Jordan's economy. Despite tough natural conditions, the country maintains strong reserves: 10.4 months of wheat and 8.4 months of barley. This supports stable food security. The sector is improving with projects like the National Seed Bank and planting one million trees. Loans worth 1.3 million dinars were given for land use and farming. Another 6.9 million dinars went to support livestock, helping meet local food needs. Even with regional challenges, the Economic Modernization Vision is Jordan's roadmap for balancing growth and sustainability. The steps taken in investment, industry, and agriculture are moving in the right direction. With strong strategies in place, these efforts are expected to bring steady improvements to Jordan's economy in both the short and long term. Raad Mahmoud Al-Tal is head of Economics Department – University of Jordan, [email protected]
Ammon
30-04-2025
- Business
- Ammon
Report: Kingdom's wheat reserves sufficient for 10.4 months
Ammon News - The strategic wheat reserve has a sufficiency period of 10.4 months, while the barley reserve has a sufficiency period of 8.5 months, according to the first-quarter report of the Economic Modernization Vision 2023-2025 Executive value of loans granted for the development and exploitation of irrigated and rainfed agricultural lands amounted to JD1.3 million, benefiting 114 borrowers, while the value of loans granted for livestock development and fish farming amounted to JD6.9 million, benefiting 1,273 borrowers, according to the report stated that during the first quarter of this year, the National Seed Bank was inaugurated, aiming to preserve plant genetic lines and enhance food security.45 new sites in Jordan have also been selected for excavation and earth dam construction, to promote the use of rainwater harvesting techniques in agriculture and rehabilitate desert pastures. The draft Cooperative Law for 2025 was approved by the report also pointed out that a development project for the packaging, packing, and marketing of dates had been launched in the central Jordan Valley to stimulate investment, and a land lease agreement had been signed for the purpose of establishing date sorting, packing, and packaging workshops.
Jordan Times
26-03-2025
- Health
- Jordan Times
Food security and food waste: Are there solutions?
Food waste is a global problem that directly affects food security. It includes all food that is lost from the human consumption system, whether during production, distribution, storage, or after reaching consumers. According to a 2024 report from the United Nations Environment Programme, the average amount of food wasted per person worldwide is about 79 kg per year. This accounts for 16% of the food lost during production and 14% of waste caused by consumer behavior, meaning around 30% of food produced globally is lost or wasted. Food waste in Arab countries is higher than the global average. Each person wastes about 113 kg per year, which adds up to nearly one billion tons of wasted food. In Jordan, the report states that the average person wastes about 101 kg of food annually. However, this number is based on estimates, not actual field studies, so it could be overestimated. Other studies show that food waste in Jordan is closer to 80 kg per person per year. Food security expert Fadil Al-Zoubi says that food waste in Jordan increases during special events, especially during Ramadan. The Consumer Protection Society reports that waste rises by 25 per cent to 30 per cent during this month. Promotional offers and discounts during Ramadan lead people to buy more food than needed, which then gets wasted due to expiration or poor storage. Al-Zoubi adds that consumer behavior plays a big role in food waste. Many people buy more food than they need due to sales or poor shopping planning. Also, not knowing how to store food properly can lead to spoilage before it is eaten. Around the world, the ability to afford healthy food is an important factor in food waste. Statistics show that 52 per cent of people globally can't afford healthy food, while 42% of people in Arab countries face the same issue. In Jordan, this percentage is lower at 14%, meaning that more people can afford healthy food, which may contribute to increased food waste. The food gap is another key issue related to food security. It's the difference between local food production and local demand for food. While the world produces enough food to feed everyone, millions of people still suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Over 800 million people are hungry worldwide, even though about one-third of the food produced globally is wasted. This shows the direct link between food waste and hunger. Reducing food waste can help improve food security by redistributing excess food to people in need. In Jordan, with only 14 per cent of people unable to afford healthy food, reducing food waste could improve food access and fairness. Efforts to reduce waste, such as donating unused food to charities or using it for animal feed and fertilizers, can help close the hunger gap. However, the real challenge is creating effective policies that encourage reusing food rather than throwing it away, to balance reducing waste and improving food security. The royal opening of the National Seed Bank, part of the National Agricultural Research Center, aims to improve food security by developing the agricultural sector and creating new crop varieties. The bank plays a key role in dealing with challenges like climate change, water shortages, and population growth, helping to protect crop diversity and ensure a steady, healthy food supply. It supports the country's vision for economic modernization, the National Sustainable Agriculture Plan (2022-2025), and the National Food Security Strategy, helping Jordan become more self-sufficient and less reliant on external food sources. Food waste is not just an economic issue; it impacts food security and environmental sustainability. In Jordan, as in many countries, reducing food waste requires changing how people shop and consume, and improving policies that support responsible consumption. By continuing these efforts, food security can be improved both locally and globally. Reducing food waste and investing in local agriculture are key to ensuring food security, closing food gaps, and preserving resources for future generations. Raad Mahmoud Al Tal is head of the Economics Department – University of Jordan- [email protected]
Jordan Times
10-03-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
King inaugurates National Seed Bank
His Majesty King Abdullah inaugurated the National Seed Bank, affiliated with the National Agricultural Research Centre in Ain Al Basha, Balqa. The seed bank, which includes state-of-the-art laboratories, aims to preserve plants' genetic data to ensure the sustainability of agriculture and enhance food security (Photo courtesy of Royal Court) Seed bank aims to store plants' genetic data to preserve genetic diversity, ensure sustainability of food security Bank includes state-of-the-art laboratories, old seed samples, oldest of which dates back to 1927 AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday inaugurated the National Seed Bank, affiliated with the National Agricultural Research Centre in Ain Al Basha, Balqa. The seed bank aims to store plants' genetic data to preserve genetic diversity and ensure sustainability of agriculture and food security for future generations, a Royal Court statement said. His Majesty toured the seed bank and was briefed on how it seeks to improve the quality of seeds to contribute to the development of the agricultural sector and the production of new varieties. The National Seed Bank includes state-of-the-art laboratories and old seed samples, the oldest of which dates back to 1927, to serve researchers and academics at universities and scientific research centres specialised in agricultural research and development. It aims to support agriculture in countering the effects of climate change, water scarcity, growing populations, and disruptions to global food systems and food supply chains by preserving crop diversity, and providing healthy and sustainable food, according to the seed bank's acting director, Khaled Abu Hammour, the statement said. The National Seed Bank has seed storage rooms, drying, processing and testing facilities, and a storage capacity of 50,000 samples. Its cryogenic technology helps extend the viability of seeds from 10 years to 100 years in some plant species, ensuring continued agricultural life for generations to come. The seed bank was established at a cost of nearly JD3.8 million, including JD3 million in funding from the Hashemite University. The seed bank was established as an extension of the seed storage unit created in 1993 at theNational Agricultural Research Centre, in line with the National Plan for Sustainable Agriculture (2022-2025) and National Food Security Strategy, which is within the Economic Modernisation Vision for Jordan's agriculture sector, according to the statement. Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat, and President of the Hashemite University Khaled Hyari attended the inauguration.
