Irbid:The Irbid Governorate Environment Directorate, in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Development Studies at Yarmouk University and the Irbid Flowers Environmental Association, organized a workshop entitled "Agriculture vs Climate Change Adaptation Challenges and Sustainability Opportunities." The event gathered parliamentarians, academics, specialists, and representatives from various organizations and the local community to discuss the impact of climate change on agriculture and explore adaptive strategies.
According to Jordan News Agency, Yarmouk University President Malik Al-Sharairi emphasized the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration and research to tackle climate change, which he described as a multifaceted challenge affecting water and food security, resource sustainability, and agricultural livelihoods. Hanan Malkawi, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development Studies, highlighted the increasing climate-related pressures on Jordan's agricultural sector, including declining water resources and rising temperatures.
Mustafa Al-Zyoud, Director of the Irbid Environment Directorate, advocated for an integrated approach to mitigate climate impacts, focusing on informed planning and sustainable resource management. Ashraf Abu Khalil, President of the Irbid Flowers Environmental Association, stressed the importance of supporting Jordanian farmers as vital partners in environmental conservation.
The workshop included two panel sessions moderated by Mohammad Al-Draizi, an Environmental Awareness Specialist at the Irbid Environment Directorate. The first session addressed climate policies, legislation, climate finance, and the use of technological innovation in agriculture, featuring presentations by experts such as Eng. Shurouq Bani Atta, MP Hamza Al-Hawamdeh, and Khaled Al-Hazaymeh from Yarmouk University.
The second session focused on integrated water resource management, climate-smart agricultural adaptation, and disaster risk reduction within food value chains, using ancient olive trees as a case study. Presenters included Ziad Al-Ghazawi from the Jordan University of Science and Technology, Mazen Abu Qamar, and Ahmad Al-Shraideh from the Development for People and Environment Association.
Participants emphasized the importance of aligning public policies with scientific research and climate-smart practices to bolster the resilience of the agricultural sector and ensure the Kingdom's food security.