FAO conducts field tour to hydroponics, aquaponics and fish hatchery project in Jerash

AMMAN — The Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan Nabil Assaf, Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat, Water Minister Mohammad Al Najjar and Ambassador of the European Union to Jordan Maria Hadjitheodosiou on Tuesday visited the hydroponics, aquaponics and fish hatchery systems in the Al Faisal nursery in the Jerash Governorate. 

The visit included a presentation about the project “Introduction of Aquaponics and Hydroponics in Support of Effective Use of Water”, which supports and enhances the national competencies and capabilities regarding the management, design and implementation of hydroponics projects, according to a FAO statement.

The visit also included a tour of modern farming systems in the nursery.

The tour aimed to shed light on the water-efficient hydroponics, aquaponics and fish hatchery systems implemented by FAO, in addition to modern agricultural projects that provide job opportunities for agricultural engineers and investment opportunities for farmers.

In his opening remarks, Assaf said, “Hydroponics helps reduce the consumption of water, fertilisers and pesticides, and therefore it is considered one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural systems, as well as an attractive factor for investors, especially young people.” 

Assaf also referred to the new strategic framework launched by FAO for the period 2022-2031, which seeks to support the 2030 Agenda through the “Four Betters”, which are better production, better environment, better nutrition, and better life.

Hneifat noted that these projects support the ministry’s efforts in the national plan for sustainable agriculture, which works to develop water-saving projects in light of the expansion of production according to crops with added economic value.

They also build the capacities of agricultural engineers through the use of modern technologies, he added. 

Jaafar Al Emyan, the project coordinator, gave a presentation about the projects objectives, implemented activities and achievements. 64 newly graduated agricultural engineers and farmers were trained on the project. 

This joint project falls within FAO’s regional initiatives on water scarcity and encouraging small-scale family farming across the Near East and North Africa to address water scarcity and encourage family farming systems. It is also part of Jordan’s 2025 vision, which aims to improve national water security and agricultural productivity.