FAO launches training programme to support aquaculture in Jordan

AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan launched a training programme under the project "Support the formulation of sustainable aquaculture strategy in Jordan", funded by FAO. 

President of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Nayef Al Fayez, and participants from the Ministry of Agriculture, ASEZA, the University of Jordan, fishermen's associations, and the Royal Society for the Protection of the Marine Environment, in addition to the Association of Fish and Marine Breeders and a number of representatives from the private sector attended the event, according to a statement from FAO.

The project aims to assist the Jordanian government in developing proper planning and sector management tools for sustainable aquaculture development to contribute to increasing fish productivity in rural agricultural communities. 

The programme also aims to improve the private sector in this regard through the development of well-managed technical practices and the strengthening of technical capabilities in aquaculture innovation — including this training, which aims at building stakeholders’ knowledge of aquaculture principles and build their technical capacity for managing aquaculture projects with regard to nutrition, quality, diseases, breeding and reproduction. 

Furthermore, a pilot project for marine aquaculture will be established in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. The overall and long-term impact of the project is to increase national production and contribute to food security through the availability of an important local source of animal protein.

Fayez stressed that the project is fully funded by FAO, which began implementing its activities in January 2022 through December 2023. The project will include the establishment of a specialised fish farming unit in the Wadi Araba area in cooperation with ASEZA using transported seawater.

Fayez praised the important partnership between ASEZA and FAO, which comes from the human dimension and the provision of a suitable environment for fish farming, and the provision of food elements to support the health of young people, which is reflected in the continuity of natural food chains that many age groups need, depending on this important sector.

Fayez thanked the organisation and its employees for the success of its projects in Jordan.

FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said: “The project has developed and updated the aquaculture strategy to ensure the appropriate direction for the foundations of effective sustainability of the sector, and the project builds technical capacity related to aquaculture, including this training.”

FAO will also establish a pilot system for raising marine fish on land. The pilot project represents “a cornerstone” for investment opportunities in the aquaculture sector and constitutes a strategic dimension for sea water utilisation, read the statement.