NARC Launches Agricultural Innovation, Entrepreneurship Incubator to Boost Climate-Smart Farming

Jordan took a step to modernize its agricultural sector with the launch of an innovation and entrepreneurship incubator at the Maru Agricultural Station of the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) in Al-Balqa on April 19. Supported by funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented with a network of international and local partners, the incubator is designed to accelerate climate-smart farming by providing young entrepreneurs and farmers with tools for digital agriculture, smarter resource use and productivity-enhancing, sustainable technologies.

"The incubator reflects national priorities aligned with royal directives and Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision," said Ibrahim Al-Rawashdeh, NARC Director General. "It... stress[es] its role in reinforcing food security and building stronger, more adaptable agricultural systems capable of responding to climate pressures and economic uncertainty."

The launch was attended by Yves Guicquéro, Regional Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) for the Middle East, who framed the initiative as more than a financing vehicle. "The initiative goes beyond financial support, positioning itself as a space for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and building stronger rural and farming communities," he said, praising NARC's leadership and pointing to the success of startups emerging from the incubator.

Organizers presented a series of early-stage agricultural ventures at the opening, showcasing projects that have moved from concept to practical application under the incubator’s support. The programme brings together a consortium of development and research organisations that will contribute technical assistance, mentorship and implementation pathways. Partners listed at the launch include:

• ACTED
• Eco Consult
• World Food Programme
• Terre des Hommes
• The Phenix Center for Economics and Informatics Studies
• Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

The incubator is established at NARC’s Maru Agricultural Station, providing a physical platform for pilots, trials and demonstrations of climate-resilient practices. According to NARC leadership, the facility will host projects that target digital agriculture solutions, resource-efficient irrigation and crop management, and sustainable inputs that improve yields while reducing environmental footprint. The model aims to connect development actors and create stronger impact on the ground by pairing funding with knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Project organisers highlighted that the incubator addresses two pressing national priorities: food security and adaptation to climate pressures. By focusing on technology-based solutions and entrepreneurship, the facility intends to cultivate a pipeline of commercially viable, environmentally sensitive innovations that can increase self-sufficiency and agricultural quality across Jordan.

Looking ahead, NARC and AFD expect the incubator to scale its support for startups and farming communities through continued partner engagement and demonstration of successful pilots. The organisers pointed to the early-stage ventures presented at the launch as evidence that incubation can convert innovative ideas into practical projects with measurable real-world impact, potentially informing broader policy and investment in Jordan’s agricultural modernization efforts.