Ammon News - Minister of Agriculture Khalid Huneifat on Wednesday announced that his ministry has given 18 licenses for the import of lamb from Sudan to ensure adequate and affordable supply of meats during the holy month of Ramadan.

The minister made the remarks during a visit to botanical laboratory and veterinary quarantine projects in the northeastern governorate of Mafraq.

Huneifat emphasized that both projects will speed up testing and sampling and will therefore accelerate exports.

The minister announced the launch of a JD35-million package of productive programs through the Agricultural Credit Corporation, indicating that JD10 million of the amount will be earmarked for investment in the animal and crop sectors and the cultivation of fodder.

He also pointed out that JD10 million will go for rural development and empowerment of women while JD5 million will be allocated for various agricultural projects.

Another JD10 million will go for crop production projects, including granting interest-free loans of about JD20,000 for individual farmers, and JD50,000 for seed-growing businesses.

Huneifat explained that an additional JD15 million had also been allocated with the aim of replacing foreign workers with Jordanians, and implementing an afforestation project to create job opportunities.