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Driving Agri-Food Innovation in Jordan

Date
January 27, 2025
Published by
ICARDA Communication Team
Category
News
Capacity-building workshop jointly led by ICARDA, IWMI, and Jordan’s National Agricultural Research Center (NARC)
Capacity-building workshop jointly led by ICARDA, IWMI, and Jordan’s National Agricultural Research Center (NARC)

Amman, Jordan – December 3rd, 2024 – In the face of mounting challenges to food security, water, and climate, Jordan has turned to science for solutions. 

 

Drawing on the CGIAR Innovation Packages and Scaling Readiness (IPSR) methodology, the event aimed to equip stakeholders with the tools to adapt and scale agricultural innovations tailored to Jordan’s resource constraints.

 

The workshop, part of the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility to Resilience in Central and West Asia and North Africa, was grounded in pragmatism. Participants engaged in hands-on training sessions, dissecting innovations from ICARDA, IWMI, and NARC. These case studies, focused on rangeland restoration and water-saving technologies, served as templates for developing scalable solutions to Jordan’s agri-food challenges.

Figure: Participants discussing challenges of rangeland restoration (Source, ICARDA)
Figure: Participants discussing challenges of rangeland restoration (Source, ICARDA)

 

Bridging Science and Practice

The workshop advanced three key goals:

 

  • Showcasing Innovations: Participants explored breakthroughs designed to boost water and food security under adverse conditions.

  • Building Capacity: IPSR methodology taught stakeholders to evaluate scaling readiness and adapt innovations to local contexts.

  • Strengthening Collaboration: The program emphasized public, private, and academic partnerships to drive sustainable initiatives.

 

Figure: Participants discussing enabling environment to scale water saving innovation (Source, ICARDA)
Figure: Participants discussing enabling environment to scale water saving innovation (Source, ICARDA)

Central to these discussions was the recognition that scalability is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Effective solutions must be tailored to the local socio-economic and environmental landscape, a principle exemplified by two innovations under scrutiny:

 

  • Rangeland Restoration (ICARDA): Targeting the rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems and promoting sustainable land management.

  • Water-Saving Technologies (IWMI): Introducing advanced water management systems to address Jordan’s acute scarcity.

 

“This workshop is more than a scientific gathering; it is an urgent call for action. Jordan’s Ministry of Agriculture, universities, and research institutions stand ready to transform challenges into opportunities, with CGIAR’s support providing a model for resilience and innovation in the region.” - Dr. Khaled Abu Hamour, Director General of NARC

 

Takeaways for Transformation

Several critical insights emerged from the deliberations:

 

  • Adaptation Over Adoption: Innovations must be aligned with Jordan’s unique contexts to ensure long-term success.

  • Integrated Approaches: The convergence of climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, and rangeland restoration offers a roadmap for resilience.

  • Partnerships Matter: Bridging the gaps between public institutions, private enterprises, and academia is vital to overcoming systemic barriers.

  • Policy and Support Systems: Enabling environments through policies, financing mechanisms, and complementary services are non-negotiable for scalability.

  • Empowering Stakeholders: Practical training and tools are indispensable in fostering a pipeline of implementable, sustainable solutions.

 

This work is supported by the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility to Resilience in Central and West Asia and North Africa, as well as Jordan’s National Agriculture Research Center. 

 

Stay updated on ICARDA’s initiatives in Jordan and the CWANA region. 

 

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