Jordan Daily – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Ministry of Environment have launched a project to promote the cultivation of local species, aiming to mitigate climate change effects and protect biodiversity in the country.
The project, fully funded by the FAO, was unveiled at an inception workshop attended by representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, and various stakeholders. The workshop outlined the project’s scope, implementation strategy, and work plan, according to a statement.
FAO’s Representative in Jordan, Eng. Nabil Assaf, stated that the project aims to enhance forest productivity and profitability for local communities. “The project will target 100 hectares for afforestation activities and will focus on three communities in a comprehensive capacity-building program,” Assaf said. He added that the initiative would guide communities in valuing forest products and provide them with the necessary knowledge to protect Jordan’s forests.
The representative of the Minister of Environment highlighted Jordan’s commitment to international environmental agreements, including the International Convention for the Protection of Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. He emphasized that such projects demonstrate ongoing efforts to protect lands from drought, adapt to climate change effects, and sustain natural elements.
The representative of the Minister of Agriculture underscored the importance of preserving Jordan’s forest wealth, including the Carob tree, a drought-tolerant species that provides a habitat for local plants and animals. He noted that supporting carob value chains would enhance community knowledge about carob, positively impacting their livelihoods.
The project, set to run from May to December 2024, will be implemented in selected sites in northern and central Jordan, with technical support from the FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture. Local communities will be trained to use and market products derived from forests and indigenous species, with a particular emphasis on the involvement of youth and women.
