Ammon News - The National Committee for Food Security, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Food Programme (WFP), concluded a two-day workshop to discuss and endorse the National Food Security Strategy action plan.

The action plan is based on five main areas covering the availability, access, utilisation, stability and governance of food security, according to a FAO statement.

A group of high-level partners and stakeholders in Jordan, including public and private sectors, civil societies, donors and UN organisations, attended the workshop.

This workshop is the next step in the development of Jordan’s national food security strategy and building the action plan in a participative and cooperative approach, involving all concerned institutions and stakeholders, read the statement.

The National Food Security Strategy was initially approved by the National Committee for Food Security on May 2021, and will enable Jordan to develop and implement regulatory and policy frameworks that will facilitate growth and prosperity while enhancing Jordan’s role as a centre for peace and stability in the region, the statement said.

Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat said: “This workshop is the culmination of the hard work of the different task forces that have addressed all components of the strategy and the executive plan. These committees have involved all relevant stakeholders and held more than 40 meetings during the preparation period of the plan; today’s workshop is the conclusion of this process.”

FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said: “FAO is committed to provide the needed support to Jordan through transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better environment, better nutrition and a better life, leaving no one behind.”

Alberto Correia Mendes, representative and country director for WFP in Jordan, said: “At this time of global change, it is essential to ensure access to safe, stable, affordable and nutritious supply of food for everyone in Jordan at all times. WFP is committed to support the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the National Food Security Strategy, working with the Royal Court and the government, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture as well as other partners to reach this goal.”

The COVID-19 pandemic came at a time when food systems were under strain from natural disasters such as floods and prolonged periods of drought, climate change, and other shocks, the statement said.

The pandemic has revealed extreme inequities and inefficiencies in the food system, which depends on thousands of food producers and processors, many of whom have very low incomes. All aspects of food security are therefore crucial to Jordan given they are essential to human dignity and national security, concluded the statement.