Food security expert Dr. Fadel ELZUBI affirmed that climate‑smart agriculture represents a fundamental pillar for achieving food security, as it is built on an integrated relationship between availability, access, utilization, and stability. He explained that such agriculture contributes to increasing productivity, improving food quality, and reducing loss and waste, in addition to its role in mitigating the impacts of climate change on agricultural production.
Dr. ELZUBI pointed out that Jordan, where annual per capita water availability does not exceed 60 cubic meters, now faces a strategic choice: adopting climate‑smart agriculture as a national necessity rather than a luxury.
He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Agricultural Research Center, has already begun implementing pioneering projects in agricultural sustainability, including the development of drought‑resistant varieties and the improvement of natural resource management.
ELZUBI explained that climate‑smart agriculture technologies include computerized irrigation systems and soil‑moisture sensors, which reduce water consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional methods. Protected and vertical farming in urban areas also enhance productivity, reduce reliance on rainfall, and enable year‑round production of vegetables and fruits, thereby strengthening food stability.
He added that the use of remote sensing, artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, and drones makes it possible to monitor crop health, forecast yields, and determine the optimal timing for planting and harvesting, thus minimizing losses.
Regarding soil management, ELZUBI highlighted that digital analyses help identify precise fertilizer requirements, reducing pollution and lowering production costs. He also emphasized the importance of relying on renewable energy to power irrigation and cooling systems, which reduces emissions and cuts operating costs by up to 20%.
He further explained that developing smart cold chains powered by renewable energy and equipped with digital monitoring systems contributes to reducing food loss, which currently reaches 30% of fruits and vegetables in Jordan.
According to ELZUBI, the application of climate‑smart agriculture could increase crop productivity by 20–25%, save hundreds of millions of cubic meters of water annually, and open new export markets by improving the quality of Jordanian products. It would also empower youth and women by creating job opportunities in agribusiness and agricultural technology.
He concluded by stressing that climate‑smart agriculture is no longer merely a set of techniques, but rather a comprehensive national vision aimed at making Jordan’s food system more resilient to climate change and more capable of achieving food security. He stated that “climate‑smart agriculture” has become an overarching framework that combines climate adaptation, emission reduction, and economic sustainability—making it a strategic choice for Jordan in the face of water scarcity and mounting climate pressures.