Amman, Nov. 7 (Petra)-- Randa Hatamleh - Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, affirmed that Jordan despite the scarcity of its water resources has succeeded in achieving a qualitative agricultural leap in recent years, thanks to wise management and a strategic vision that adopted a genuine project toward smart sustainability and agricultural digitalization.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on the sidelines of the High-Level Regional Dialogue titled "Empowering Women Through Financing Policies to Advance Circular Agriculture in the Arab Region", organized by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, Farouk highlighted that Jordanian–Egyptian relations represent an inspiring model of sincere Arab cooperation.

He stressed that what unites the two countries goes beyond official agreements to a shared vision for a unified Arab future based on production, knowledge, and agricultural integration.

"What binds us is not borders or passing interests, but one land, one field, and a deep belief that Arab food security is a matter of existence, and that the Arab farmer is the first line of defense for the stability of our nation," he said.

Farouk added that Jordan’s agricultural sector has witnessed a profound transformation in recent years, becoming a model in resource management and sustainability. This vision, he noted, has established an advanced approach to climate adaptation through the adoption of modern technologies and innovative solutions that enhanced agricultural efficiency and ensured the sustainability of water, energy, and natural resources making Jordan a leading example in resource sustainability and climate resilience.

He described the Jordanian experience as a practical lesson in turning challenges into opportunities, praising Jordan’s ability to manage limited resources with high efficiency in support of sustainable agriculture across the Arab region.

Farouk also referred to the depth of Jordanian–Egyptian partnership in agricultural fields. He noted that the meetings of the Joint Agricultural Technical Committee, recently concluded in Amman, formed a new step forward in strengthening cooperation in seed production, strategic crop varieties, organic agriculture, pest control, and specialized training programs for Jordanian and Egyptian cadres in smart irrigation and modern agricultural technologies.

He stressed that these efforts fall within a broader Arab integrative vision aimed at achieving sustainable food security.

He noted that Jordan and Egypt are working to remove barriers to the smooth flow of agricultural trade and enhance its efficiency in ways that serve the interests of both countries and pave the way for building a joint Arab food market.

Regarding investment, Farouk welcomed Jordanian investors in Egypt’s agricultural sector, noting that Egypt provides all possible facilities and full support, especially in new land reclamation projects that form the locomotive of agricultural development in Egypt.

He emphasized that reclaiming desert lands in the Arab world requires collective will and the establishment of a strong Arab entity led by youth, calling for empowering them with the necessary tools, financing, and expertise to become active partners in building a sustainable Arab agricultural future.

Farouk highlighted the importance of empowering rural women, stressing that financing women in rural areas is not merely social support but a direct investment in national economies and food security. He noted that the political leaderships in Jordan and Egypt have given this issue great attention, making women partners in decision-making and key contributors to the development process.

He explained that Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture has made rural women’s empowerment one of the main pillars of its National Strategy for Women’s Empowerment 2030. The efforts, he said, are being implemented along three main tracks: Integrating gender considerations into agricultural policies and rural development programs to ensure equal access to financing and technical support, expanding access to green financing and financial inclusion through initiatives such as the "Tahwisha" digital savings program, which raised women's financial inclusion rates from 17% in 2016 to 68% in 2024, and linking financing with productive empowerment through programs that combine training and production, such as the "Daughter of the Countryside" initiative, which has trained thousands of women and girls in food processing, marketing, and small business management.

Farouk noted that these programs have had tangible impacts on the ground, with increased rural women’s participation in productive activities and improved income levels exceeding 20% in some villages transforming women from marginal workers into local economic leaders and entrepreneurs in green agriculture.

Regarding land fragmentation, the minister said the issue requires balanced policies that ensure social justice while encouraging productivity. He stressed the need to support small farmers and enable them to benefit from financing and technical expertise without compromising the viability of agricultural projects.

He called for strengthening Arab cooperation and knowledge exchange in green financing and sustainable transformation, emphasizing the importance of adopting innovative financing mechanisms that empower women and youth to lead change in the Arab countryside.

//Petra// MF