Jordan Daily – Minister of Agriculture, Khaled Hneifat, held a meeting on Wednesday with Luigi Cavestro, the Amman office director of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM Bari).
During the meeting, Hneifat emphasized the significance of bolstering collaboration between the two parties in sustainable agricultural development, livestock, natural resources, rural development, and environmental sustainability. CIHEAM Bari stands as a prominent institution in the Mediterranean region for agricultural research and sustainable development.
Cavestro, on his part, underscored the value of the existing cooperation between the parties, expressing his optimism that this meeting would pave the way for further fruitful collaboration and capacity building within Jordan’s agricultural sector.
Several important matters were discussed during the meeting. This included preparations for signing a rural women empowerment project, which is set to receive funding from the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation (AICS) through CIHEAM Bari.
Additionally, both sides addressed the necessary approvals from the Italian side regarding the project proposal submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture to the AICS. The project, titled “Improving Food Security and Creating Jobs through Developing Value Chains for Rural Products and Increasing the Efficiency of Utilization of Available Local Resources,” has an estimated total cost of JD1.326 million.
Furthermore, they reached an agreement to develop a comprehensive plan of action for joint cooperation in supporting the livestock sector, rural development, and forests.
The discussion also encompassed the formulation of a proposal for the second phase of a project designed to enhance competitiveness and sustainable innovation for small and medium agricultural projects. Currently being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Industry, the proposal will include a dedicated clause to provide support to small farmers and enhance their capacities through specialized agricultural cooperative societies. Moreover, it will address food processing and the permanent exhibition of agricultural products in Irbid.
Among other topics, the meeting addressed measures taken by the Ministry to support the hosting of the headquarters of the International Center for Higher Agricultural Studies in the Mediterranean.
Both parties agreed to closely follow up on procedures related to hosting the headquarters with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.