Ammon News - The Norwegian Ambassador to Jordan Espen Lindbeck and the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Jordan, Nabil Assaf, Sunday signed a US$1.5 million agreement to enhance food security and job opportunities in Jordan.

Funded by Norway, the "Transition to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agro-food systems" project targets Jordanians and Syrian refugees by enhancing their capabilities to participate in a sustainable and effective agricultural food system, building their capacities to create job opportunities and strengthening the resilience of the target groups against poverty.

Agriculture Minister Khaled Huneifat appreciated the role played by the Norwegian Embassy and FAO in supporting sustainable agriculture.

Huneifat emphasised the need to join efforts to serve the interests of Jordanians in rural areas, find opportunities to support rural communities and women and implement projects aimed at optimal utilisation of available water resources to achieve food security and preserve water resources.

Lindbeck said that the project aims to promote the transition to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agricultural food systems in Jordan, explaining that it is "necessary" to address challenges in the agricultural sector to enhance food security for Jordanians and refugees in marginalised communities.

"We are pleased that FAO is implementing this project in close coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture in a way that meets the goals of the Jordanian government to ensure food security in the Kingdom and develop sustainable methods of agriculture," he said.

In turn, Assaf said, "The agro-food sector in Jordan supports the livelihoods of about a quarter of the population, and there is an urgent need to support food security. It provides job opportunities for refugees and women in rural communities.

"This project is in line with the second priority of FAO and the Government of Jordan; sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. It is also in line with regional initiatives on water scarcity and building resilience to enhance food security."

The project aims to achieve sustainable food security among Syrian refugees and host communities in rural areas by enhancing their ability to participate in sustainable agro-food systems and building their capacities through an integrated training programme to create decent job opportunities.

The project will address capacity building, financing, and employment needs through activities related to capacity strengthening, distribution of tools, access to microfinance markets and job creation.