MoU signed to launch fish farming initiative for women, local community

AMMAN — The Business Development Centre (BDC) and the Association of Fish and Marine Breeders have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to help women and local community members start their own fish farmingprojects.

The initiative, which falls under the umbrella of the UNICEF-funded Azm project: “Economic support for communities that have been affected the most by the Corona pandemic through self-employment”, seeks to promote investment in the agricultural sector and create employment opportunities, especially for targeted females in the age group of 18-24 years, according to a BDC statement.

It also targets a group of local community organisations with a focus on the northern Jordan Valley areas of Ghor Al Safi and Deir Alla all the way to the southern Jordan Valley within the most suitable areas in terms of water availability and weather suitability, which are requirements for fish farming.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat said that fish farming is one of the pioneering income-generating projects and contributes to creating job opportunities at the local level. The ministry gives great attention to empowering farmers and directing them towards economically feasible projects, he added.

Tanya Chapuisat, UNICEF Jordan Representative, said: “UNICEF is focusing on interventions aimed at empowering Jordan’s most vulnerable young women and men, and assisting their smooth transition to productive adulthood. We are pleased to see partners come together today to address the challenges facing young people in Jordan and further strengthen Azm project sustainability.”

Ghaleb Hijazi, BDC general manager, said it is expected that the pilot project would create at least 15 self-employment and 40 direct employmentopportunities.

Mohamed Omar Shaheen, president of the Fish Farming and Animal Husbandry Association said that the initiative is in line with the National Continuity Plan for Fisheries Development, which was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, and is considered “a cornerstone” in the development of the fish farming sector.