Page 31 - AA 2022 YEAR BOOK

Jordan

FAO INAUGURATES 22 REHABILITATED AGRICULTURAL

CENTERS THROUGH EU-FUNDED PROJECT IN JORDAN

The Food and Agriculture Organization Country Director of the World Food
of the United Nations (FAO) held a Programme.
ceremony to mark the inauguration and
handover of 22 rehabilitated National The rehabilitation of the agricultural
Agricultural Training Facilities to the extension centres and building the
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in Jordan. capacity of their staff will enhance the
farmer’s skills as individuals and groups,
The renovation was made possible because after several years of conflict,
through the “Enhancing resilient refugees from Syria in the region and
livelihoods and food security of host communities hosting them continue to
communities and Syrian refugees require protection and assistance, with
in Jordan and Lebanon through the complex and evolving needs.
promotion of sustainable agricultural
development” project that is funded Tulla said that, “The rehabilitation The new facilities will be used to run
by the European Union through its of 22 National Agricultural Training capacity building for farmers (Jordanian
Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Facilities is within the framework of and Syrian refugees) as well as training of
Syrian crisis (MADAD). The project is the “Enhancing resilient livelihoods trainers - TOT to provide skilled teachers
implemented by FAO in cooperation with and food security of host communities to support all current and planned
the Ministry of Agriculture, World Food and Syrian refugees in Jordan through education activities. The training
Programme (WFP) and the International promoting sustainable agricultural supported by the project will focus on
Fund for Agricultural Development development” project funded by the promoting climate-smart agriculture
(IFAD). EU through its Regional Trust Fund in (CSA) with the aim of achieving three
Response to the Syrian Crisis (MADAD), main objectives: sustainably increasing
The handover ceremony was held We are very proud to see the progress agricultural productivity and incomes;
under the Patronage of H.E. Eng. Khaled of the excellent partnership developed adapting and building resilience to
Hnaifat, Minister of Agriculture, and the with the Government of Jordan and our climate change; and reducing and/or
Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU UN partners.” removing greenhouse gas emissions,
Delegation in Jordan, Ms. Sirpa Tulla, in where possible.
Jarash Governorate, which is one of the FAO’s Representative in Jordan,
22 rehabilitated centres across the 12 Eng. Nabil Assaf, said “The conflict in Background
governorates; Amman, Irbid, Balqaa, Syria has triggered the world’s largest
Salt, Karak, Tafileh, Aqaba, Ajloun, Zarqa, humanitarian crisis. Refugees from Syria “Enhancing resilient livelihoods
Madaba and Mafraq. These facilities are the biggest refugee population and food security of host
underwent rehabilitation works and from a single conflict in a generation. communities and Syrian refugees
were provided with equipment and tools FAO is glad to be in the forefront of in Jordan and Lebanon through the
required to host training programmes on the implementation of the EU Regional promotion of sustainable agricultural
climate-smart agriculture, sustainable Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian development” project
management and utilization of natural Crisis (MADAD FUND) and contribute The project responds to the reduced
resources, including land, water, climate with our partners WFP and IFAD to livelihood and food security levels
and genetic resources for the benefit of addresses the socio-economic needs of as a result of the crisis in Syria, Jordan
Syrian refugees and host communities. Syrian refugees while also supporting and Lebanon and intends to harness
overstretched local communities and
H.E Minister of Agriculture, Eng. their administrations.” he added “The the impact of Syrian refugees for
Khaled Al-Hanaifat, confirmed that this new 22 training centres inaugurated the local economic development,
project supports the ministry’s efforts today will enhance the ability of MOA and to foster their integration and
in developing agricultural guidance and farmer groups to develop capacity social cohesion through support to
and placing it within its guiding path of host and refugee’s communities.” the agriculture sector in improving the
for the sector, in a way that ensures agricultural productivity in addition
the availability of training for farmers “We cannot ignore the importance to the creation of job opportunities for
towards crops with more economic value, of investing in natural ecosystems in both host communities and displaced
adequate for market requirements, and a country like Jordan that has been Syrians. The project will also promote
support food security. impacted by climate change and stressed social protection mechanisms for the
by limited natural resources. The EU- benefit of the host farming communities
Hanifat valued this support and funded Madad project presents a great and the displaced population.
cooperation from the partners, opportunity for the three Rome Based
which represents a real and tangible Agencies to work together under the About the EU Regional Trust Fund
achievement and alignment with leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture in response to the Syrian crisis, the
the Ministry’s plans to develop and to support Jordan address its climate EU Madad Fund:
modernize the cadres of the Ministry change challenges while creating Since its establishment in December
and the agricultural sector. sustainable livelihood opportunities 2014, a significant share of the EU’s
to the most vulnerable.”Said Alberto
The Deputy Head of Cooperation at Correia Mendes, Representative and non-humanitarian aid for Syria’s
the EU Delegation in Jordan, Ms. Sirpa neighbouring countries is provided

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