The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC), and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) launched a project funded by FAO to formulate a sustainable aquaculture strategy in Jordan.
Representatives from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the National Agricultural Research Centre, in addition to the Association of Fish Breeders and Marine Biology, and the Jordan Aquaponics Association attended the workshop.
The objective of the project is to support the Government of Jordan in developing proper planning and sector management tools for sustainable aquaculture development to contribute to increasing fish productivity in rural agricultural communities and the private sector through the development of well-managed technical practices and the strengthening of technical capabilities in aquaculture innovation.
These include training on biologically secure fish farms and solar energy, solar-powered fish farms, water recycling systems using high-tech filters, and treatment to reduce water consumption through establishing a pilot fish hatchery project. The overall and long-term impact of the project is to increase national production of fish products and to contribute to food security through the availability of an important local source of animal protein.
FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said: “Aquaculture in small farmer systems provides high-quality animal protein and essential nutrients, especially for nutritionally vulnerable groups, such as pregnant and lactating women, infants, and preschoolers. It also provides this protein at prices generally affordable to the poorer segments of the community.”
On behalf of the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nasser Shraideh, Marwan Al Refai, Secretary General of the Planning Ministry, said: "This project comes within the framework of the implementation of Jordan National Food Security Strategy that was recently adopted by the government. It is an innovative pilot project that will enable us to test the possibilities of spawning and raising fish on land using seawater, providing the required know-how, and identifying the strengths and challenges that it might encounter."
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