Ammon News - The 21st National Olive Festival and the exhibition of rural women's products is slated to start from October 25 to November 4 in Mecca Mall in Amman.

The National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, is organising the Festival.

Director-General of NARC Nizar Haddad stated: "This year's festival is special as it will be organised on 11,000 square meters in line with international standards and criteria for expos.

"And it is a space that is four times bigger than previous festivals while adhering to the health measures that must be followed in light of the coronavirus pandemic."

More than 500 farmers, associations, schools, companies and olive mills will partake in the festival activities, Haddad said, adding there will be laboratory tests on olive oil for quality assurance as per international standards.

Ministry of Agriculture staff will be present at the festival to link up and coordinate with farmers and associations through the Ministry's directorates across the country to ensure "fair and effective" participation, said Abeer Soub, the head of the Ministry Rural Development and Women Empowerment Directorate.

The Festival is aimed at advertising low-income farmers' products that would ensure safe and quality products.