Ammon News - The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Jordan has launched the "first" training programme as part of the "Support the formulation of sustainable aquaculture strategy in Jordan" project's activities.

The project aims to support government officials in developing planning tools for sustainable aquaculture development to increase fish productivity in rural agricultural communities and the private sector, according to an FAO statement.

FAO's project seeks to develop "well-managed" technical practices and strengthen technical capabilities in aquaculture innovation, the focus of the training, and it aims at developing the capacity of stakeholders with the principles of aquaculture.

The pilot project for marine aquaculture would be established in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) so that the overall and long-term impact of the project is to increase the national production of products and contribute to food security.

FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said: "Building the capacities of partners in aquaculture is considered the first major step for developing the aquaculture sector."

"At the farm level, the focus must first be resource utilisation efficiency and the economic and livelihood incentives that affect farmers' decisions. About farming patterns, optimal utilisation of water, fodder, fertilisers, chemical treatments and other inputs."

The president of ASEZA, Nayef Fayez, said: "This training is considered a critical component of the sustainability of the project and is considered the basis of the adoption of marine Aquaculture production," adding that the FAO project has ASEZA's "full" cooperation and support.