Jordan launches SDG funded programme to transform agri food systems

AMMAN — Under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khreisat, the government and the United Nations on Wednesday launched the “Local financing solutions to support Jordan’s agri food system transformation” Joint Project during a virtual inception workshop, the FAO Jordan office said. Funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund, the programme aims to transform Jordan’s fruits and vegetables sector into an inclusive, climate-resilient and market-driven system, supporting more than 1,500 smallholders and MSMEs in Deir Alla and establishing two modern post-harvest centres intended to cut losses by 30–40 per cent and expand access to higher-value domestic and export markets.

“This initiative is a major step toward strengthening Jordan’s agricultural resilience,” the ministry’s secretary-general, speaking on behalf of Minister Saeb Khreisat, said. “By investing in climate smart practices and modern post harvest systems, we are ensuring that farmers—especially smallholders—have the tools and support they need to increase productivity, reduce losses, and access better markets.”

Programme design and partners

The virtual workshop convened national institutions, municipalities, producer organisations and UN agencies, including UN Resident Coordinator Sheri Ritsema Anderson, FAO Representative Nabil Assaf and UNIDO Country Representative Sulafa Madanat, according to a FAO Jordan statement. The project employs a blended finance model that combines grants, producer contributions and credit, and aligns with Jordan’s Food Security Strategy (2021–2030) and the UN Cooperation Framework (2023–2027).

• Name: “Local financing solutions to support Jordan’s agri food system transformation” Joint Project.
• Funding source: UN Joint SDG Fund.
• Geographic focus: Deir Alla.
• Target beneficiaries: more than 1,500 smallholders and MSMEs.
• Key interventions: climate-smart agriculture investments, business planning, governance strengthening and market integration.
• Infrastructure: two modern post-harvest centres designed to reduce losses by 30–40% and broaden access to higher-value domestic and export markets.
• Finance structure: blended finance combining grants, producer contributions and credit.
• Inclusion priorities: women, youth, refugees, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups — through targeted training, financing windows and inclusive employment opportunities.

UN Resident Coordinator Sheri Ritsema Anderson framed the intervention as broader than production alone: “Strengthening local food systems is about more than agricultural productivity — it is about building economic, environmental, and social resilience. And it is about ensuring that everyone benefits, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups. This UN Joint Programme responds directly to that need.”

Outlook

The project’s mix of infrastructure, technical support and blended finance is designed to reduce post-harvest losses substantially and integrate smallholders and MSMEs into higher-value supply chains, particularly for fruits and vegetables. By explicitly aligning with national strategies and the UN Cooperation Framework, organisers say the programme aims not only to improve productivity but to strengthen governance, market linkages and inclusive employment pathways for women, youth and refugees in Deir Alla and beyond.