FAO and NARC Sign an agreement to enhance conservation and genetic improvement of local almond varieties in Jordan

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) today signed an agreement under the project “Conservation and Genetic Enhancement of Local Almond Varieties in Jordan for Sustainable Agricultural Development.” The signing ceremony was attended by the Director General of NARC, Professor Dr. Ibrahim Al-Rawashdeh, representatives from both sides, and several relevant partners.

FAO Representative in Jordan, Eng. Nabil Assaf, stated during the ceremony that this agreement marks an important step toward protecting and promoting Jordan’s local almond varieties, which hold significant agricultural and cultural value. He emphasized their vital role in strengthening the agricultural sector’s resilience to future challenges, particularly climate change and genetic erosion.

He explained that the agreement will enable NARC to begin implementing a set of specialized technical activities, including field surveys, sample collection, and conducting morphological analyses of local almond varieties across various regions of the Kingdom. These activities will contribute to establishing a strong scientific foundation for conserving and sustainably developing local genetic resources.

FAO Representative expressed the Organization’s pride in its partnership with NARC, noting the Center’s scientific expertise and technical capabilities that make it the ideal partner for carrying out this essential component of the project. He affirmed that the joint work between both sides contributes to enhancing agricultural biodiversity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Jordan’s almond sector.

In conclusion, the FAO Representative extended his appreciation to all parties who contributed to the success of this collaboration. He expressed his optimism for the positive outcomes expected from the implementation of the agreement’s activities, and their impact on farmers, researchers, and future generations through the preservation of the country’s agricultural heritage.

The Director General of the National Agricultural Research Center, Professor Dr. Ibrahim Al-Rawashdeh, said that signing the agreement with FAO represents a pivotal milestone in Jordan's efforts to preserve plant genetic resources, particularly local almond varieties, which are an integral part of the national agricultural heritage.