The Director-General of the National Center for Agricultural Research, Ibrahim Al-Rawashdeh, revealed a serious study to establish a research center concerned with studying climate challenges in Ma'an province by early 2026, within the framework of the royal directives to study climate challenges, especially in poverty pockets in the south,
Al-Rawashdeh explained, during his inspection visit to the Shoubak Agricultural Research Center to review the center's research activities, that the establishment of the research center aims to prepare developmental project proposals to serve the southern sector through water harvesting projects, in addition to studying plants that are tolerant to critical climate conditions of water scarcity and high temperatures; since water harvesting represents a strategic priority to face climate change challenges and the decline of water resources, emphasizing the necessity to adopt the latest technologies to enhance water storage and sustainability of resources.
He directed the reinforcement of agricultural research on implementing water harvesting techniques, such as building small dams and underground reservoirs, and installing rainwater collection systems, which contribute to reducing water loss and enhancing the community's ability to face drought, calling for intensive efforts to spread awareness about the importance of these technologies and support them through involving the private sector in water harvesting projects.
He affirmed that the integration of efforts between various institutions would enable achieving national goals in water management.
During the visit, Al-Rawashdeh listened to a briefing presented by the director of the center and the research station in Shoubak about the progress of work at the center and the challenges facing the researchers, praising the efforts of the research and administrative staff in conducting applied agricultural research, where he directed the researchers to cooperate with local and international donor agencies to bring pioneering projects that serve the agricultural sector through enhancing the biodiversity of plant and animal heritage, restoring habitats and medicinal plants and herbs to their original habitat and conserving them from extinction.
