Aqaba: The Jordan Valley Authority and the Jordan Cooperative Corporation have entered into a memorandum of cooperation focused on bolstering agricultural cooperatives and enhancing their contribution to sustainable agricultural development. This agreement comes in light of a Cabinet decision to allocate 4,000 dunams of land in the Ridan al-Aqiliya area of Aqaba Governorate for projects led by agricultural cooperatives.
According to Jordan News Agency, the memorandum was signed by Jordan Valley Authority Secretary-General Hisham Hayseh and Jordan Cooperative Corporation Director-General Abdul-Fattah Shalabi. Hayseh emphasized that the memorandum is a testament to the collaboration and integration between the two organizations in supporting the agricultural cooperative sector. The allocated land is intended to enable cooperatives to carry out projects that are economically viable and development-focused, thereby enhancing sustainable agricultural investment, improving resource-use efficiency, strengthening food security, and creating jobs for local communities.
Shalabi stated that the corporation will be responsible for overseeing the procedures related to the land use by agricultural cooperatives. This includes monitoring compliance with applicable terms and conditions and providing necessary technical and administrative support alongside training and capacity-building programs. These initiatives are aimed at improving the operational efficiency of cooperatives and helping them fulfill their developmental, economic, and social roles.
The memorandum outlines the mechanisms for land use by agricultural cooperatives without transferring ownership. It also specifies the responsibilities of each party to ensure optimal land investment and provides for the technical and administrative oversight necessary to support project execution and achieve the desired development outcomes.