Promoting investment in agricultural scientific research in Jordan is a national necessity for achieving food security and sustainability.

Given the increasing challenges facing Jordan’s agricultural sector—from water scarcity and climate change to fluctuations in global markets—investment in agricultural scientific research emerges as one of the most strategic tools to ensure food security and enhance economic sustainability.

Data from the National Center for Agricultural Research indicate that Jordan began its agricultural research journey in 1958, and these efforts have since expanded to more than 20 specialized research stations in various governorates. These stations work on developing crop varieties resistant to drought and salinity, improving natural resource management, and adopting climate-smart agricultural technologies.

In this context, the recently established National Seed Bank at the National Center for Agricultural Research is a qualitative addition to the research system. It aims to preserve and document local genetic resources and ensure the sustainability of agricultural biodiversity. This bank is a strategic tool for developing new varieties capable of adapting to climate change while providing researchers and farmers with access to authentic genetic resources for use in breeding improvement and sustainable production programs.

The Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory also stands out as a vital research facility in need of updating and expansion, given its significance in propagating plants and producing varieties adapted to harsh conditions such as drought, salinity, and high temperatures. Upgrading this laboratory and equipping it with modern technologies will allow researchers to accelerate the production of improved varieties and enhance Jordan’s competitiveness in agricultural innovation.

There is an urgent need for a unified national umbrella for agricultural scientific research that brings together universities, research centers, and related institutions. Such an umbrella would help unify research priorities, coordinate efforts among different entities, and avoid duplication in projects, ensuring optimal use of financial and human resources. It would also strengthen opportunities for joint financing, direct investments toward strategic projects with national impact, enable researchers to exchange expertise and data, and create a more integrated and effective research environment. A unified national framework for scientific research would bolster Jordan’s ability to respond to agricultural and climate challenges, multiply innovation outputs, and make the research sector more attractive to international partners.

On another note, experts confirm that food loss in Jordan reaches nearly 30% of vegetables and fruits before reaching the consumer, representing hundreds of millions of dinars in annual losses. Investment in applied scientific research—such as developing low-cost cooling chains or improving post-harvest technologies—can significantly reduce this percentage and boost the competitiveness of Jordanian products in regional and international markets.

Jordan’s per capita water share does not exceed 60 cubic meters annually, compared to the global water poverty threshold of 500 cubic meters. This reality makes agricultural scientific research indispensable for developing modern irrigation techniques, such as computerized irrigation and sensors, which can reduce water consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional methods.

In terms of funding, the Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund plays a critical role in supporting applied projects and encouraging the transformation of research outcomes into startups and marketable products. However, overall spending on scientific research in Jordan remains limited, not exceeding 0.6% of GDP, compared to a global average of 2.2%. Increasing this ratio to at least 1% over the next five years could double agricultural innovation outputs and create new job opportunities for youth.

In addition, fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors is crucial. Large agricultural companies can benefit from research findings to develop their products, while researchers secure funding and sustainability for their work. Collaboration with universities and international research centers also opens the door for technology transfer and sharing of expertise.

Practical recommendations:

• Increase allocations for agricultural scientific research in the general budget, linking them to clear performance indicators.
• Provide tax incentives for companies investing in agricultural research and development.
• Launch training programs to raise researchers’ competencies and connect them with farmers via electronic platforms.
• Enhance international partnerships to leverage modern technologies in smart agriculture.
• Encourage agricultural entrepreneurship through business incubators specialized in agricultural innovation.
• Support the National Seed Bank and expand the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory as strategic tools for agricultural innovation.
• Establish a unified national umbrella for agricultural scientific research to coordinate efforts and maximize resources.

In conclusion, investing in agricultural scientific research is no longer a secondary option, but a national necessity to address food, water, and energy security challenges. Jordan has a solid scientific base and research institutions, but what’s needed is to expand investment, activate partnerships, and support research infrastructure such as the seed bank and tissue culture lab, while creating a unified national umbrella for research. This will enable agricultural scientific research to become a driving force for sustainable development and a source of food and economic security for future generations.