Amman-AlBaqaa
A delegation of experts in permaculture from 35 countries visited Sharhabeel Agricultural Research Station to explore more on the Jordanian experience in permaculture as a prelude to the transfer of modern technology for the station.
The Director General of NARC, Dr. Nizar Haddad, stated that Jordan is one of the first countries in the Middle East introducing permaculture, attracting donor countries and partners to implement permaculture and agricultural sustainability in both plant and animal production through empowering local communities and farmers' families to promote the agricultural sector.
Eng Yahya Abu Sini, coordinator of the Permaculture Project at NARC, said that the designs have been prepared for Sharhabeel and Ghor Al Safi stations so that the project can be implemented by the end of this year. He also came across the applications of permaculture including recycling of wastes, manufacturing compost, rainwater harvest management, aquaculture, beekeeping, breeding of poultry and sheep, clarifying that the integration of all these components is planned to function as an integrated production system while preserving and managing the environment and natural resources in a sustainable approach, preparing these sites to become a model for sustainable agriculture, to transfer this knowledge to farmers in the region.
Jeff Luton, the Australian Expert in permaculture elucidated the research efforts exerted by NARC's staff at Sharhabeel and Ghor Al Safi stations in the preparation and planning for an advanced stage of permaculture, declaring that the stations are ready to serve as a model for agricultural sustainability.