ORIENTATE represents a promising beginning, but its true success will be measured by our ability to scale it up, fund it independently, and integrate it into a national innovation system that places scientific research in the service of the circular economy. Jordan, with its youth, ideas, and limited agricultural resources, is in dire need of this transformation. Let us leverage this experience to build upon it as a model for a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural future.”

The international food security expert, Dr. Fadel ELZUBI, questioned the executive apparatus at the Ministry of Agriculture’s ability to translate visions and strategies into tangible reality.

Dr. ELZUBI added that a review of the Jordanian experience reveals an abundance of strategies and visions, including the Economic Modernisation Vision, as well as sectoral strategies for nutrition, health, water, and agriculture. He pointed out that these strategies are meticulously designed and cover various angles and challenges for each sector.

Food security expert Dr. Fadel ELZUBI confirmed that Jordan has taken a pivotal step in understanding the scale of food waste by launching the first comprehensive national studies, implemented by the Higher Council for Food Security with support from the World Food Programme. These studies have, for the first time, provided accurate local data on food waste across various sectors.

The International food security expert, Dr. Fadel ELZUBI, stated that the Arab region is witnessing unprecedented levels of food insecurity, with hunger rates varying between countries in a way that reflects the scale of political, economic, and climate crises.

Food security expert, Director of the Geneva Center for Studies, and former Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Dr. Fadel ELZUBI, emphasized that Jordan plays a vital role in implementing afforestation projects by enhancing seedling production and developing sustainable farming techniques. He noted that the country is also launching initiatives to restore vegetation cover, such as the Royal Botanic Garden project, which has become a global model in ecosystem restoration.

• Armed conflicts: The biggest driver of food insecurity.
• Economic crises: Declining purchasing power and rising food prices.
• Climate change: Drought and water scarcity, particularly in Jordan, Iraq, and North Africa.
• Production gap: Weak local production compared to heavy reliance on imports.