An official delegation from the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture on Sunday visited the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), and checked first-hand on its key implemented projects. NARC Director General, Nizar Haddad, told the Saudi delegation, chaired by the Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture Affairs Suleiman Al-Khatib, that scientific research is the backbone of the agriculture development and finding solutions to challenges and problems facing the agricultural sector through introducing modern technologies, information and data search, transferring technology, examining appropriate environments and the economic feasibility of any project. Heads of NARC research directorates gave briefing of implemented research activities, especially projects related to enhancing water use efficiency through optimal utilization of available water resources, solar water desalination plants and supplying them with renewable energy, non-traditional water treatment, greywater and olive mills wastewater (Zibar), in addition to modern technologies and investment in modern and technical agriculture. They highlighted NARC’s role in promoting water harvesting, conserving water resources and smart agriculture, in addition to Jordan’s role in investing in the fertilizer industry, success stories and partnerships with the private sector, livestock projects, farm management of Awassi sheep and camels, and laboratory services provided to farmers, in addition to the National Seed Bank (NSB) and investment in youth energies through the incubator of agricultural innovation and agricultural entrepreneurship. The Saudi delegation expressed appreciation for NARC’s role in transferring modern technologies, employing scientific research outputs and improving water use efficiency through pioneering projects in the optimal use of water resources and water harvesting plans. Al-Khatib said that the Saudi agricultural public sector is looking forward to cooperate with NARC in many different agricultural fields, lauding Jordan’s leadership in the research experience that contributes to the development of the agricultural sector and the transfer of modern technology, especially in the field of optimal use of water resources, water harvesting projects and enhancing water use efficiency, in addition to modern technologies used in the agricultural sector.
Source: Jordan News Agency