FAO empowers local institutions, civil society organisations in climate-smart agriculture

AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and Fal for Consulting and Management Services have signed an agreement aimed at providing technical assistance and training to local institutions and civil society organisations (CSOs) in the target governorates under the "Building resilience to cope with climate change in Jordan through improving water use efficiency in the agriculture (BRCCJ) Project." 

This partnership represents a significant step forward in addressing climate change challenges through sustainable and innovative agricultural practices, according to a statement for The Jordan Times on Monday.

The collaboration will focus on introducing and scaling climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and technologies to improve water use efficiency in regions heavily affected by water scarcity and climate variability. 

The targeted interventions include improved water use efficiency practices: promoting techniques such as mulching, strip tillage, intercropping, and Smart irrigation technology, and innovative technologies: Implementing hydroponics systems, wicking beds, Cocoons and drought-tolerant crop varieties to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience.

The interventions also include Farmer Field School (FFS) Modules: Leveraging validated training modules developed under the BRCCJ Project to ensure knowledge transfer and practical application of CSA practices and technologies.

“This agreement underscores FAO’s commitment to strengthening the capacities of local institutions and CSOs to adapt to the realities of climate change. By equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary to implement climate-smart agriculture, we are empowering communities to build resilient and sustainable livelihoods,” said FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf.

Fal for Consulting and Management Services brings its expertise in capacity building, technical training, and market-oriented solutions to the partnership. 

“We are excited to collaborate with FAO to deliver actionable and scalable solutions that address the urgent need for water-efficient and sustainable agriculture. Together, we aim to foster resilience and drive impactful change in these communities,” remarked Lamia Dabas, the director of Fal for Consulting and Management Services.

The training programmes will be tailored to the specific needs of the target governorates, emphasising participatory approaches to ensure the active involvement of local stakeholders. 

Through this initiative, FAO and Fal for Consulting and Management Services aim to enhance the technical skills of local institutions and CSOs, facilitate the adoption of CSA practices by smallholder farmers, promote sustainable water management and resource efficiency, and strengthen local capacity to address climate-related challenges in agriculture.

The agreement will soon initiate a series of technical workshops, hands-on training sessions, aim to strengthen the knowledge of CSOs and CBOs on climate-smart agriculture practices and technologies, it will include the training of 120 individuals from 20 CBO/CSOs (5 per governorate at the project target governorates. 

These efforts will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

This collaboration is under the framework of BRCCJ project activities, executed by FAO Jordan. This seven-year initiative aims to enhance climate-resilient sustainable development within the country. More specifically, the project intends to increase the resilience to climate change of water management systems and the farming community.