Randa hatamleh: Egypt's Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, affirmed that Jordan, despite the scarcity of its water resources, has succeeded in achieving a qualitative agricultural leap in recent years, thanks to wise management and a strategic vision that adopted a genuine project toward smart sustainability and agricultural digitalization.
According to Jordan News Agency, Farouk highlighted during the High-Level Regional Dialogue titled "Empowering Women Through Financing Policies to Advance Circular Agriculture in the Arab Region", organized by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, that Jordanian-Egyptian relations represent an inspiring model of sincere Arab cooperation. He emphasized that the cooperation between the two countries is rooted in a shared vision for a unified Arab future based on production, knowledge, and agricultural integration.
Farouk noted the profound transformation in Jordan's agricultural sector, becoming a model in resource management and sustainability. This vision has led to an advanced approach to climate adaptation through modern technologies and innovative solutions, enhancing agricultural efficiency and ensuring the sustainability of water, energy, and natural resources. He praised Jordan's ability to manage limited resources efficiently, supporting sustainable agriculture across the Arab region.
The minister also referred to the depth of the Jordanian-Egyptian partnership in agricultural fields. He mentioned that the meetings of the Joint Agricultural Technical Committee, recently concluded in Amman, marked a new step forward in strengthening cooperation in seed production, strategic crop varieties, organic agriculture, pest control, and specialized training programs for Jordanian and Egyptian cadres in smart irrigation and modern agricultural technologies. These efforts are part of a broader Arab integrative vision aimed at achieving sustainable food security.
Farouk mentioned that Jordan and Egypt are working to remove barriers to the smooth flow of agricultural trade and enhance its efficiency to serve the interests of both countries and pave the way for building a joint Arab food market. Regarding investment, Farouk welcomed Jordanian investors in Egypt's agricultural sector, highlighting the facilities and support provided, especially in new land reclamation projects that drive agricultural development in Egypt.
He emphasized the need for collective will in reclaiming desert lands in the Arab world and called for the empowerment of youth with the necessary tools, financing, and expertise to become active partners in building a sustainable Arab agricultural future. Farouk also underscored the importance of empowering rural women, describing financing women in rural areas as a direct investment in national economies and food security.
Farouk explained that Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture has made rural women's empowerment a main pillar of its National Strategy for Women's Empowerment 2030. These efforts are being implemented through integrating gender considerations into agricultural policies, expanding access to green financing, and linking financing with productive empowerment. Programs like the "Tahwisha" digital savings initiative and "Daughter of the Countryside" have significantly increased rural women's financial inclusion and participation in productive activities.
The minister also addressed the issue of land fragmentation, advocating for balanced policies that ensure social justice while encouraging productivity. He called for strengthening Arab cooperation and knowledge exchange in green financing and sustainable transformation, emphasizing the adoption of innovative financing mechanisms to empower women and youth in leading change in the Arab countryside.