Amman:Jordan's Agriculture Minister, Saeb Khreisat, emphasized the significance of the date sector as a crucial agricultural and economic asset, highlighting its potential for expansion and export opportunities.
According to Jordan News Agency, Khreisat spoke at an event organized by the Jordan Dates Association (JODA) to mark Jordanian Dates Harvest Day. He outlined the ministry's priorities, which include supporting farmers and enhancing the agricultural sector by improving product quality, marketing, processing, and access to new markets.
JODA President Anwar Haddad noted the sector's success in establishing Jordan on the global date production and export map. He mentioned that palm plantations cover over 50,000 dunums, comprising more than 800,000 palms. The annual production surpasses 37,000 tons, mainly of the Medjool and Barhi varieties, with exports exceeding JD60 million to over 50 markets, creating around 12,000 jobs.
Haddad further outlined JODA's goals to enhance water-use efficiency, incorporate technology and artificial intelligence, expand food processing, and explore new markets. Former Prime Minister Adnan Badran emphasized the need for an integrated partnership among research bodies, universities, the ministry, the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA), farmers, JODA, and the Agricultural Engineers Association to develop palm cultivation.
Opio Paul, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in Jordan, pledged continued FAO support through technical assistance and capacity building. He also mentioned backing national efforts against the red palm weevil and supporting value chain development under the "One Country One Priority Product" initiative.
Faisal Fqeer, JVA's Assistant Secretary General for the Northern and Southern Jordan Valley, stated that the authority will persist in supporting farmers and improving water and irrigation management. Mohammad Abu Ayyash, representing palm farmers, highlighted challenges such as weak infrastructure, high production costs, marketing difficulties, and foreign competition. He advocated for registering Jordanian dates as a distinctive geographical indication and enhancing pest control programs to sustain the sector and boost its competitiveness in global markets.