On the occasion of His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein,59th birthday, the Minister of Agriculture,Dr. Mohamed Daoudia sponsored the signing agreements ceremony on agricultural innovation at the National Center for Agricultural Research(NARC).
Daoudia said that it is an honor and privilege that this ceremony of signing agreements, on agricultural innovation at the National Center for Agricultural Research, (NARC), coincided with His Majesty, King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein birthday & and the centenary of the founding of the Jordanian State.This is a paradigm shift with remarkable impact on the agricultural sector by transforming ideas into innovative and pilot projects that are agricultural -sustainability oriented.
Dauodia expressed his pride in NARC’s researchers for their efforts exerted to serve the agricultural sector, as well as, their promptness in preparing the agricultural map and the water harvesting map, entrusting by the government.
On his part, Dr.Nizar Hadad .the director General of NARC, explicated the importance of the Agricultural Innovation incubator in adopting creative ideas of both plant and livestock fields, to contribute in viability and sustainability of the agricultural sector This to be achieved through a specialized committee based on modern scientific standards.
Haddad added that the importance of launching such an incubator lies in its mission in qualifying entrepreneurs and innovators, help developing their ideas building their capacity to become competitive in the market, besides enabling them to become owners of small and medium-sized enterprises instead of job seekers. Emphasis is placed on the values of participation, transparency and social responsibility in order to contribute to the vision, mission, value and objectives of the NARC, Haddad said.
Haddad pointed out that the number of projects adopted in the Innovation Incubator is 16 projects, so far; Six of these projects include ideas regarding electronic platform for vegetables and fruits trading, the development of a homemade device for detecting palm weevil, the treatment of plant and animal agricultural residues, environmental conservation through sustainable development programs, liquid fertilizer production through worm emulsifying.
Dr.Fawaz Alzbon The Hashemite University President, said that the university is proud of this partnership, collaboration and networking with NARC ,which will lead to achieving capacity building ,training and innovation and entrepreneurship on both sides. In addition to conducting applied and field research that prioritize national issues such as water scarcity, arid and semi-arid land development, agricultural development promoting food security, and embrace advanced technology.
Al-zbon added that signing an agreement with the Agricultural Innovation incubator at NARC, to sponsor and support a research on using modern technologies and micro sensors to measure the plant’s water needs, achieves the golden rule in saving water and double productivity. This collaboration aims at building a national agricultural database on plant water needs, based on region, season and weather criteria. HU president pointed out that signing an institutional agreement with NARC to establish a national seed bank is a pilot national project to conserve and document national plans, and create digitized national plants database, to enhance agricultural research.