The Italian government and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) signed a partnership agreement on Monday to mark the launch of the “Amer resilience agricultural management project” in Jordan, which aims to empower local communities and promote sustainable agriculture. The project will be implemented in the governorates of Madaba and Karak, targeting about 2,700 Jordanians and Syrian refugees from the youth, women and small farmers groups, in cooperation with municipalities, agriculture and the environment. The first phase of the project, which was carried out in the governorates of Irbid and Mafraq, was concluded in 2020, with more than a thousand Jordanians and Syrian refugees, including youth, women and small farmers, benefiting from it. Regional Director of the IUCN’s West Asia Office Hany El Shaer said that the project is funded by the Italian government at a value of 1.5 million euros and will continue for two consecutive years, adding that it aims to promote sustainable economic mechanisms in the agriculture sector and food security area as a basis for empowering Jordanian host communities and Syrian refugees in the southern regions of the Kingdom. He pointed out that the union is looking to begin a new phase of cooperation with the Italian government to improve and empower local communities and Syrian refugees in southern Jordan through the interconnection of water, energy and food security. He explained that the project aims to enhance the awareness and capabilities of communities, local authorities, academic institutions and schools in the targeted governorates with regard to sustainable practices for agriculture and food security. He stressed that the project also aims to improve the knowledge and skills of small farmers and educators in host communities and Syrian refugees in the targeted areas to help them address challenges posed by climate change. El Shaer stated that among the measures that will be implemented as part of the project is establishing hydroponic systems, support new and existing women and youth-led small projects in the agricultural sector and establish water harvesting systems. For his part, Italian Ambassador Luciano Pezzotti said that Italy provides funding for many initiatives and projects aimed at increasing sustainable livelihoods through agricultural productivity for smallholders and capacity building, in support of Jordan’s efforts to combat poverty and unemployment. He pointed out that this project is fully in line with the priorities set out in the Italian cooperation strategy, as well as Jordan’s endeavors to reduce exposure to climate-related risks through improved water management systems in a country suffering from severe water scarcity. He added that this project is in line with the vision of the union in preserving nature and addressing social and economic challenges, indicating that it is designed to improve the living conditions of beneficiaries through the application of income-generating agricultural practices and sustainable production methods.
Source: Jordan News Agency