Ammon News - The National Center for Research and Development (NCRD) held a discussion session titled "Smart Agriculture: Between Governance and Climate Policies," aimed at fostering dialogue among local and international experts specializing in agriculture and the environment on climate-related issues, particularly the climate-smart agriculture project implemented by the Center in cooperation with the Friends of Nature Association in Lebanon.

Participants stressed the importance of advancing climate-focused policies and governance frameworks to create an enabling environment for adopting climate-smart agriculture within ecosystem-based adaptation and national food production strategies.

President of the NCRD Mohammad Alwedyan highlighted the importance of strengthening local initiatives geared toward climate-smart agriculture, sustainable water management, and biodiversity protection. Alwedyan called for continued dialogue and integrated efforts among governmental and international institutions and local communities to achieve a more sustainable future for agriculture in the region, emphasizing the need to integrate climate-smart practices into national plans such as the National Adaptation Plan, the Water Strategy, and the Climate-Smart Agriculture Plan.

Myrna Semaan, President of the Friends of Nature Association, delivered a detailed presentation on the concept and applications of forestry and its role in promoting food security and improving ecosystem efficiency. Semaan explained that forestry systems contribute significantly to enhancing productivity and sustainability by increasing tree output, improving crop yields, enhancing labor efficiency, and preserving soil fertility. She underscored the importance of adapting forestry techniques to local farmers’ needs to ensure sustainable long-term results.

The Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Resilience in the Levant through Forestry project, implemented in cooperation with the Friends of Nature Association in Lebanon and supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Global Adaptation Program, is a regional initiative operating in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The project aims to enhance the resilience and sustainability of agricultural and food production systems to address climate change through an ecosystem-based forestry approach.