Amman: Agriculture is a key driver of growth as it accounts for 23.5 percent of total economic activity in backward and forward sectoral linkages, according to a recent study announced by Department of Statistics Director Haidar Freihat. He said during a meeting with Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hnaifat to present the study, based on analysis of 2022 input and output tables, that it revealed the agricultural sector achieved an added value of JD1.7 billion, ranking fourth in terms of added value among economic sectors, and first in commodity sectors.
According to Jordan News Agency, Freihat pointed out that the agricultural sector has a 15.8 percent backward linkage, as a result of the demand it creates for such sectors as production inputs, water, energy, fertilizers, and plastic industries, while it contributes 7.7 percent in forward linkage by supplying food industry, hotels, animal production, and transport sectors with necessary raw materials.
For his part, Hnaifat stressed the study’s significance in strategic agricultural planning, adding that the ministry will focus on stronger economic ties to achieve balanced growth. He explained that the ministry endeavored to support agricultural industries, develop the Jordan Valley agro-food industries complex, and create business accelerators for agricultural manufacturing and marketing, with the aim of boosting forward linkages and achieving sustainable development.
He said cooperation with the statistics department will continue to carry out more studies to achieve the strategic goals of the sector.