Khaberni - This Tuesday morning, the fourth season of the Apple Festival was launched in Shoubak district, Ma'an Governorate, organized by the Shoubak Cultural House Association, including national, heritage, cultural, and artistic segments, and an exhibition of products and traditional foods.
The festival was held in the halls of Shoubak College, sponsored by the Senate member, Mohammad Daoudia, with the attendance of the Governor of Ma'an, Khaled Al-Hajjaj, numerous officials, directors of government departments, a large crowd of farmers, local community members, and college students.
The festival aims to support farmers and promote the status of the apple tree and its products within the food security and agricultural sustainability systems. It also seeks to stimulate economic activity in Shoubak District, and encourage apple cultivation as a national environmental and economic treasure.
Senate member Daoudia stated that the government's continued support for the agricultural sector and for festivals and events aimed at empowering farmers and developing agricultural production contributes to achieving self-sufficiency, developing the local community, and preserving the ancient Jordanian heritage.
He mentioned that holding this festival embodies the importance of the beloved apple fruit to many, confirming that Shoubak is a home to Jordanian apples, known for their high quality and good reputation, suggesting that Shoubak should become a special agricultural development region, given its significant role in enhancing food security and addressing challenges facing the sector.
The head of the association, Ahmad Al-Badour, explained that the festival is an agricultural, cultural, and development event held seasonally in Shoubak district. This year, it coincides with the end of the apple harvesting season and the picking of autumn fruits in the kingdom, aiming to consolidate the historical status of the apple tree, conserve it, and highlight its role in the Jordanian society, alongside contributing to the sustainability of the agricultural and heritage sectors, enhancing awareness of the importance of agriculture in the district, and preserving the local heritage and passing it on to future generations.
He stated that the festival highlights the quality of apple production in the district, and aims to integrate agricultural aspects with cultural, social, and developmental activities, thereby enhancing Shoubak’s status as a center for agriculture and culture, encouraging local innovation, and stimulating the community to actively participate in achieving sustainable development.
He noted that this year's festival message was launched to highlight the challenges facing the agricultural sector in Shoubak district, aiming to support the resilience of farmers and raise community awareness about the importance of adapting to climate change, in addition to showcasing the local product as an economic and cultural value deserving of support and care.
He referred to the festival's supporters including the Ministry of Culture, Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), “Enhanced Canadian Funding” program, along with the Shoubak Reconstruction Foundation and Assaleh Foundation.
The festival concluded with several recommendations, notably: unifying efforts and integration among official and community entities to combat the impacts of climate changes, and ensuring the sustainability of this vital sector in Shoubak district.
