King urges stepping up efforts to implement national food security strategy

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday urged stepping up efforts and cooperation in implementing the national food security strategy 2021-2030.

At a meeting with officials concerned with implementing the strategy, King Abdullah called for accelerating the endorsement of the bylaw for the higher food security council, due to its role in implementing the strategy, which is part of the Economic Modernisation Vision, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty said the tasks and responsibilities of each member of the council must be well studied and clearly identified, with clear performance indicators to follow up on progress.

The King highlighted the importance for Jordan to become a regional hub for food security.

For his part, Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh said the strategy seeks to achieve food security at the national and the household levels, as well as enhance food availability and accessibility, while maintaining food security governance.

He added that the government will endorse the council’s special bylaw to go into effect as soon as possible, adding that this measure will be followed by reviewing policies, strategic plans, laws and budgets, as well as the alignment of various institutions working in the field of food security.

Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat said the council will be tasked with monitoring the commitment of entities to implementing the national food security strategy, and will set plans to counter crises related to food security.

The council will seek to provide information by conducting research, surveys and comprehensive specialised studies on food security, and identify the entities responsible for implementation, in addition to enhancing regional cooperation to enable Jordan to become a regional leader on food security, according to the minister.

He reviewed the upcoming steps and estimated financial requirements for the implementation of the strategy, adding that a unified national system for food security information will be in place by the end of 2023.

The minister spoke about the seeds bank project, which is estimated to cost JD3.5 million, citing progress in two projects for agricultural industries in the Southern Jordan Valley, implemented in partnership with the private sector and expected to begin operations in the last quarter of this year.

Hneifat highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, adding that cooperation between the agricultural, commercial and industrial sectors is key to ensuring food security, especially amidst water scarcity.

Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of State for Public Sector Modernisation Nasser Shraideh attended the meeting.