Ajloun: The Royal Scientific Society (RSS) inaugurated on Tuesday a pioneering educational model for permaculture at Ajloun National University, as part of the "Baraka" project funded by the European Union, to promote sustainable agriculture adapted to climate change.
According to Jordan News Agency, the permaculture intervention, implemented by the RSS on the university campus, aims to provide an educational and practical platform to train students, researchers, and the local community in innovative agricultural practices based on the integration of humans and nature, thus supporting efforts to protect natural resources and enhance food security.
President of Ajloun National University, Feras Hanandeh, expressed his appreciation to the European Union and the RSS for implementing this initiative at the university, emphasizing the project's importance in training future generations in sustainable agricultural practices capable of addressing the challenges of climate change and promoting the vision of the "Ajloun: The Oxygen of Jordan" initiative by supporting green environmental practices.
Vice President of the Royal Scientific Society, Rafat Assi, highlighted the fruitful partnership with the European Union and its support for development projects in Jordan, particularly those that translate scientific knowledge into practical applications serving vital sectors and local communities. He also thanked Ajloun National University for its cooperation and for hosting this applied model that combines education, innovation, and sustainability.
European Union Ambassador to the Kingdom, Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, expressed his appreciation for the pioneering role played by the RSS in employing applied science and innovation to serve sustainable development, through implementing initiatives that adopt the principles of the circular economy and promote adaptation to the effects of climate change.
He praised the role of Jordanian universities, especially Ajloun National University, in disseminating knowledge, fostering scientific and environmental initiatives, and preparing a generation of young agricultural engineers capable of leading the transition towards more sustainable development practices. He also commended the RSS's role in networking with research institutions and Jordanian universities, as well as with civil society organizations, to solidify the concept of science in service to society.
Anne Laure Roche-Rault, Acting Head of International Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Jordan, highlighted the importance of partnerships with research and academic institutions in Jordan to promote the green transition by implementing sustainable initiatives and models that can be built upon and scaled up. She affirmed the EU's continued support for Jordan's development plans, particularly those related to climate resilience and the green transition.
Almoayied Assayed, Director of the Water, Environment, and Climate Change Center at the RSS, presented the key activities of the "Baraka" project, implemented by the RSS over the past three years with EU support. He explained that the project focuses on enhancing resilience through circular solutions and green innovations.
He noted that the project has worked to support climate-resilient agriculture, promote cleaner production, improve resource use efficiency, enhance water management efficiency, and disseminate circular economy concepts by applying practical models that combine scientific research, innovation, and community service.
The opening ceremony included a presentation by technical specialists from the RSS and the National Center for Agricultural Research on the concept of permaculture as an integrated and sustainable approach based on mimicking natural systems, enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, and optimizing resource use.
The permaculture model at Ajloun University includes agricultural terraces, ponds for producing azolla as poultry feed, and a system for raising poultry and treating its waste using earthworms to produce organic fertilizer, thus achieving an integrated cycle for resource reuse in accordance with the principles of the circular economy.
The implementation of this model aligns with the Royal Scientific Society's commitment to promote the application of science and knowledge in addressing environmental and climate challenges, and supporting the transition to more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems through national and international partnerships.