FAO launches project focusing on transformation of food systems in Jordan

AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture , on Monday launched a project to focus on the transformation of food systems in Jordan through the regional project “SFS-MED — a multi-stakeholder initiative for sustainable food systems in the Mediterranean”, funded by Italy.

In line with the agreement signed between the three parties, FAO conducted an inception workshop to present the programme to all partners and the related departments, to highlight the importance of the stakeholder role in Food system, and to share with them the proposed action plan, according to a FAO statement.

The workshop also aims to coordinate between partners and maintain communication channels to support and develop the planned activities.

The workshop was attended by a group of selected stakeholders and government partners.

This project aims at accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean region. Country and regional-level activities look to promote multi-stakeholder dialogues around key levers for food systems transformation, reinforcing cooperation across the Mediterranean.

On behalf of Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat, Secretary General Mohammad Hairy said: "Jordan is committed to continuing to work towards the transformation to sustainable food systems, building partnerships, strengthening the institutional environment, and working with the international community and the United Nations organisations to ensure the provision of appropriate funding, in addition to giving high priority to research and technology, and knowledge exchange regarding food systems.”

FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said: “Country level activities in line with the project’s outputs are foreseen in Albania, Jordan and Morocco. Country support will strengthen national and sub-national stakeholders’ capacities to promote a systemic approach to agri-food policies, strategies and interventions; formulate SFS-aligned project and investment proposals; as well as facilitate resource mobilisation.” 

“In Jordan, the transformation of the food system will be guided by the strategic objectives and guiding principles of the Food Security Strategy, with the engagement of a multiplicity of stakeholders at central and local level, including farmers, private sector, government representatives, women and civil society,” Assaf added.

By choosing food loss and waste management as a lever for food systems transformation, the project aims at improving value chain and market efficiency and influencing consumer behaviours, the statement said.

Through addressing food loss and waste issues in Jordan, the ultimate goal of the project is to improve food security, incomes and nutritional status of the population, as well as environmental sustainability in Jordan and the Mediterranean countries, through the development of more inclusive, efficient and sustainable food systems.

FAO has strategically partnered with the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM),  Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) for a  collaboration that brings together and capitalises on each organisation’s mandate — scientific, technical, political — and comparative advantages, reflecting the holistic dimension of sustainability.

The initiative has also been selected as an affiliated project of the One Planet Network’s Sustainable Food Systems Programme, a multi-stakeholder partnership comprising more than 190 members, united to implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with the goal to accelerate the shift towards more sustainable food systems.