International food security expert Dr. Fadel El Zubi told Petra News Agency that the recent growth figures in Jordan’s agricultural sector are particularly noteworthy, especially given that this year’s rainfall was lower than last year’s. He explained that the past period has witnessed a noticeable expansion in agricultural investments—through modern irrigation projects and greenhouse farming using smart agriculture technologies—which helped compensate for the shortage in water resources.
He noted that agricultural exports have played a pivotal role, increasing significantly due to rising regional demand, particularly from Gulf markets, which strengthened Jordanian farmers’ ability to target higher-value markets.
Dr. El Zubi added that controlling production costs, providing financial facilities for farmers, and the launch of the air freight subsidy initiative for agricultural products have been decisive factors in boosting the competitiveness of Jordanian exports. These measures have enabled farmers to reach distant markets quickly while maintaining high product quality, enhancing value-added, and reinforcing Jordan’s reputation as a reliable source of agricultural goods. Additionally, improvements in supply chains, packaging, and processing have further increased the appeal of Jordanian products in global markets.
He emphasized that the sector is capable of sustaining moderate positive growth, supported by continued investments, modern technologies, and government programs such as air freight support. However, he warned that limited water resources and climate variability remain pressing challenges that may prevent a repetition of the exceptional growth seen in the first two quarters of the year.
Dr. El Zubi projected that growth could stabilize at around 5–6%, assuming current supportive policies and regional demand remain steady, with potential for positive surprises if exports expand further or more efficient technologies are adopted.
He stressed that modern agricultural technologies and recent government initiatives have been the main drivers of this growth—more so than any other factor. Despite limited water and a weaker rainy season, smart irrigation systems, digital soil and moisture monitoring, and precise water allocation have enabled farmers to manage resources efficiently and focus on high-yield crops.
He further explained that protected greenhouses and hydroponic farming have provided stable environments for plant growth, ensuring continuous and high-quality production even under harsh climatic conditions. The shift toward smart, data-driven agriculture has improved energy and resource efficiency through digital control systems that integrate irrigation and fertilization with real-time climate data—reducing waste and increasing economic returns per hectare.
Moreover, the adoption of modern packaging and processing technologies at farm and aggregation levels has minimized losses and enhanced product value before reaching markets.
Dr. El Zubi emphasized that this experience offers valuable lessons for other sectors in Jordan: digital transformation and innovation are not optional, but essential for improving efficiency and productivity. The agricultural sector has demonstrated that investing in technology can offset limited natural resources, and that government policies promoting innovation can create sustainable growth even under challenging conditions. This model, he suggested, could be replicated in industries such as manufacturing and renewable energy, where technology can unlock new opportunities for development.
He called for structural and long-term strategies to address future challenges, ensuring that agricultural growth becomes a sustainable economic trajectory rather than a temporary spike.
Dr. El Zubi concluded that the solution lies in expanding investments in modern irrigation systems, reuse of treated water, and scaling up protected, vertical, and hydroponic farming while developing drought- and heat-resistant crop varieties. He also stressed the need to protect agricultural land from urban expansion, promote renewable energy use, expand access to affordable finance, and encourage local agro-industrial production to reduce costs.
He further urged accelerating digital transformation, improving infrastructure and cold-chain logistics, and enhancing transport systems to maintain export competitiveness. Sustaining agricultural growth, he said, requires integration between advanced technology, government policy, and public-private partnerships to ensure that the current momentum evolves into a lasting path toward strengthened food security and national economic resilience.