Al-balqa': Al-Balqa' Applied University's Faculty of Agricultural Technology clinched first place at the Hack4safeFood hackathon, hosted by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) under the Regional Food Safety Research and Innovation Network (RFSRIN) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
According to Jordan News Agency, the winning team comprised Hazem Sharif Hassan, Issam Qornafleh, and graduates Ruba Mahmoud, Mohammed Ajouri, and Nour Abu Amara. They outperformed 175 projects from 33 countries, with only fifteen making it to the finals. Their initiative, "Basket of Life," emerged victorious.
The project tackles food loss and waste, which is estimated at 51 percent post-harvest in the Near East and North Africa. It proposes a circular bioeconomy framework based on the 9Rs principles: Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle, and Recover. The initiative also includes producing eco-friendly packaging to prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
University President Ahmad Ajlouni emphasized that the award highlights the university's faculty and students' capability to offer solutions to global issues. He expressed gratitude towards the SFDA and the FAO for their support of innovation and regional collaboration.
The victory grants the team an opportunity to participate in the FAO Global Exhibition "From Seeds to Foods," which is a part of the organization's 80th anniversary celebrations and World Food Forum events.