Ammon News - The Higher Population Council (HPC) stressed the importance of protecting agricultural land from urban expansion, warning that continued construction permits on fertile land around cities have led to higher land prices, their sale and the loss of agricultural production.

In a statement marking the International Day of Rural Women, observed annually on October 15, the council said protecting agricultural land is not only an agricultural and environmental issue, but is also linked to providing jobs and income for rural families, particularly women.

The council said Jordanian rural women face several challenges, including difficulties owning land, accessing agricultural resources and technology, and marketing their products, in addition to unpaid household work and family care responsibilities.

It noted that rural women play an important role in farming, raising livestock, processing and marketing food products, alongside their household responsibilities, making them an important part of food production.

The council stressed the need for a law to classify land, define its permitted uses and prevent changes to those uses, to limit construction on agricultural land and protect it from urban expansion that affects agricultural production.

It also called for permanent and seasonal markets and bazaars where rural women can sell their products directly to consumers and reduce reliance on middlemen, alongside free training workshops on online marketing and using social media platforms to sell their products and establish online stores.

The council encouraged rural women to establish agricultural cooperatives to help them access financing, purchase raw materials at lower prices and reach wider markets.

It also highlighted the importance of launching media campaigns to showcase the success stories of rural women.

This year's International Day of Rural Women coincides with the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, which aims to highlight women's roles in agriculture, food production and related activities.