Jordan Daily - Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) on Sunday launched the third phase of its Rural Economic Growth and Employment Project (REGEP UP) and a new rural livelihoods initiative aimed at strengthening agriculture, creating jobs and reducing poverty.
REGEP UP will receive $15 million in financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as part of a total programme budget of $48 million. JEDCO also launched the Small-ruminants Investments and Graduating Households in Transition (SIGHT2 ) project, backed by $36 million in funding.
Agriculture Minister Saeb Khreisat said investment in rural areas helps preserve natural resources, including water and soil, because most farmers live in rural communities. He said agriculture was Jordan's fastest-growing sector last year, highlighting its importance to the economy.
Khreisat said Jordan's self-sufficiency in agricultural crops had exceeded 61%, despite the kingdom importing about 97% of its grain needs.
JEDCO Chief Executive Ghaleb Hijazi said the six-year REGEP UP programme would be implemented in partnership with public and private sector institutions and civil society organisations to expand economic opportunities for rural communities, particularly women, youth and entrepreneurs.
IFAD Regional Director for the Near East, North Africa and Europe Naoufel Telahigue said the programme's first phase had benefited more than 16,000 people, exceeding its target by 10%, including nearly 9,900 women, surpassing the female participation target by 33%.
He added that the programme created more than 7,400 jobs in targeted areas, exceeding its employment target by 25%, while expanding access to development services, promoting innovation and supporting the adoption of modern agricultural practices.
Planning Ministry Secretary-General Omar Al-Fank said the agricultural sector was the fastest-growing contributor to Jordan's gross domestic product among all economic sectors, adding that the government had allocated JOD 125 million through financing programmes to support the sector. He said the newly launched programme and project build on the achievements and results of previous initiatives.
Since cooperation began in 1981, IFAD has supported 11 development projects in Jordan with total investments of about $323 million, including approximately $123 million financed by the fund.
