Khaberni - The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply confirmed in an official statement that the support allocated for wheat and barley for the coming year will reach about (180) million dinars, with (109) million for stabilizing bread prices and (71) million to support barley and bran. He also explained that the food security enhancement plan includes increasing the country’s storage capacity to 2.3 million tons by the end of the year, which is sufficient to cover the kingdom's needs for at least 12 months.
In the agricultural sector, despite government efforts to support the supply and storage chain, local grain production remains limited, with Jordan relying heavily on imports to cover domestic demand. The government is making utmost efforts in the grains file by purchasing these strategic crops, setting prices for wheat and barley seeds, and selling them to farmers at a subsidized price. Significant and appreciated efforts are focused on research and practical work to improve local varieties and cooperation with specialized international institutions such as ICARDA and ACSAD, including the presence of the national seed bank and the preservation of genetic resources within the National Center for Agricultural Research.
The varietal policy is defined as the framework that regulates the adoption and use of wheat and barley varieties to ensure compatibility with climatic and agricultural conditions, thereby achieving high productivity and quality, and thus contributing to food security.
One of the main goals of this policy is to increase productivity per unit area by selecting genetically outstanding varieties, working on improving product quality (such as the protein content in wheat or drought tolerance in barley), adapting to local conditions in terms of climate and soil, reducing agricultural risks arising from diseases or climate changes, and achieving sustainable agricultural production through the adoption of disease and drought resistant and salt-tolerant varieties.
This policy in its components works on identifying the officially approved varieties for cultivation in each agricultural area according to the climatic conditions there, issuing technical recommendations on planting times, cultivation methods, and seeding rates for each variety, in addition to preventing or limiting the cultivation of old or unapproved varieties that lead to reduced production or the spread of diseases, and distributing varieties according to regions where early maturing varieties are planted in dry or semi-dry areas and high-yielding varieties in irrigated areas, and encouraging farmers to use certified seeds especially from the National Center for Agricultural Research.
The varietal policy in Jordan practically includes elements such as registering varieties and approving them where there exists a framework for registering and testing varieties at a global level, and Jordan follows national testing methods in cooperation with research centers, the second element is the production and distribution of certified seeds where the government plays the main intermediary role through official institutions, setting prices for wheat/barley seeds and distributing certified seeds to farmers, the third element is research cooperation and technology transfer through adopting improved varieties programs in cooperation with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the Arab Center for Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), and local research centers, and the fourth element is the preservation of genetic resources and the presence of the national seed bank to preserve local patterns for rehybridization and adaptability to climate change, which is a pioneering step in the national agricultural sector.
The varietal policy for grains has both positive and negative impacts on food security, with positive effects including improved productivity by adopting varieties resistant to drought and diseases which can improve the product under difficult climate conditions, which increases local production and reduces dependence on imports as proven through specialized trials by ICARDA, and also include increased income and stability for farmers by providing improved seeds and modern technologies that enhance farmers' productivity, increase yield, and thus the ability to continue farming. On the other hand, the negative impacts or current limitations are summarized in high dependence on imports which limits the effectiveness of local policies alone even with improved varieties, and the domestic demand exceeds the potential for local increase, particularly due to limited water resources and arable land, thereby remaining risks of supply disruption or high global prices significantly affecting food security, and also the process of accessing certified seeds if the production of certified seeds is insufficient or its distribution is very limited, which might prevent a wide adoption of the new varieties thus limiting the effect of the varietal policy on total production, and endangering genetic diversity.
Among the most important practical recommendations for decision-makers in this varietal policy is the need to work on increasing the production of locally approved seeds through a partnership between the public and private sectors, providing incentives to the small farmer to adopt drought-resistant varieties (including subsidized loans or discounts on seasonal seeds), while ensuring the supply of sufficient quantities of seeds at subsidized prices. Investing in preserving genetic diversity is crucial through support and development of the national seed bank at the National Center for Agricultural Research, emphasizing the enhancement of agricultural extension programs and technology transfer to elevate farmers' skills in crop management and good agricultural practices because the varieties alone are not enough if not accompanied by appropriate agricultural practices.
In conclusion
Developing and implementing an effective varietal policy for grains in Jordan is one of the pillars of sustainable food security, as it not only involves selecting appropriate varieties, but also requires an integrated system including scientific research, localization of agricultural technology, and activating the partnership between the public and private sectors, ensuring the sustainability of grain production and reducing dependence on external sources.
