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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Jordan Farmers Union representatives Tuesday briefed Prime Minister Hani Mulki about key challenges facing the sector, particularly produce marketing after regional turmoil forced closure of neighbouring markets.

In a meeting with the head and members of the union, sector stakeholders demanded compensation of farmers for damage to their crops caused by freezing weather and solving the problem of produce exports due to a shortage in refrigerated trucks.

Other demands raised during the meeting were a reexamination of agricultural debt and loan interest exemptions and electricity fees as well as regulating foreign labour and providing fodder and veterinary medicines to livestock farmers.

They said that an increase in the imports of livestock had adversely affected breeders and that the scarcity of rain also prompted a rise in the cost of animal fodder.

Other members said the poultry sector had suffered severe losses due to border closures, and called for solving the problem of loading and unloading at central produce markets and more facilities for exports via the Queen Alia International airport.

Mulki said agriculture is an extremely important sector, pledging the government's support to drastically overcome difficulties, while "taking into consideration the interests of all parties and sectors".

He asked the ministries of agriculture and industry, trade and supply to regulate the import of livestock to avoid any price imbalances, adding that the government would protect the citizens against any unjustified hikes in prices.