Amman: The Ministry of Agriculture and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signed a cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing farmers' capacity to adapt to climate change. It will be implemented through training programs based on the Climate-Smart Farmer Field School (CS-FFS) methodology, a hands-on, "learning by doing" approach that trains farmers to test, adopt, and adapt climate-resilient agricultural practices, and promoting water-efficient agricultural technologies.
According to Jordan News Agency, the agreement falls under the "Building Resilience to Cope with Climate Change in Jordan through Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector (BRCCJ)" project, funded primarily by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the FAO in Jordan in partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture, Water and Irrigation, Environment, and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
The agreement, signed by Agriculture Minister Saeb Khraisat and FAO Representative in Jordan Paul Obio, is a key step in joint cooperation, moving from capacity building for agricultural extension agents to direct field application with farmers. This move is set to enhance their ability to adapt to climate change and improve water use efficiency in agriculture, according to a press release from the ministry.
Under the agreement, 44 farmer field schools and 44 field days will be implemented in the governorates of Madaba, Karak, Tafila, and Ma'an. It also outlines the equipment and resources needed for 60 future farmer field schools. These activities are expected to benefit 880 farmers by providing them with practical knowledge and skills in climate-smart agriculture, improved water use efficiency, and increased resilience to the impact of climate change.