Wadi Araba Authority meets the Fish Farmers Association

In a meeting between Dr. Yahya Abdulmajid Al-Majali, General Manager of the Wadi Araba Authority Company, and Engineer Mohammed Omar Shaheen, President of the Fish Farmers Association, Al-Majali indicated that there are strategies to transform Wadi Araba into a food basket for Jordan. This will be achieved through diversifying agriculture and providing agricultural production inputs via organic and non-traditional farming methods that ensure self-sufficiency and enable exports instead of imports. This responds to His Majesty King Abdullah II's emphasis on the importance of cooperation with the people of Wadi Araba regarding investments in the region, which will directly benefit them.

The region is poised for agricultural, industrial, aquatic, and tourism development, realizing sustainable development goals for Wadi Araba and Jordan as a whole. This includes a project to desalinate Red Sea water in collaboration with Aqaba Development Company and phosphate companies to provide fresh water and pump it to Wadi Araba for agriculture and fish farming. Large fish farms will be established, also supplying Aqaba with fresh water. Al-Majali noted that memoranda of understanding have been signed with international and local companies and major sovereign funds for partnerships, which will be announced upon completion of agreements.

For his part, Engineer Mohammed Shaheen emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between representatives of farmers in the fish sector, ministries, supporting agencies, and all sectors for the benefit of the national economy. He stated that the Wadi Araba region possesses features that confirm Jordan's ability to be a distinguished model in entrepreneurship in the region, providing opportunities for investors to establish projects and companies. He suggested transforming the Wadi Araba area into an agricultural development region to facilitate procedures and open more opportunities for farmers in the area, especially in fish sector investment.

Shaheen added that the association represents investors in the fish sector to develop national fish products, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic proved the need to support national industry and agriculture to meet local market needs after supply chains were disrupted at the beginning of the pandemic. He indicated that the association needs support from the Wadi Araba Development Company in the form of leasing land at nominal prices, providing water services at preferential rates, in addition to logistical support and technical expertise.

For his part, Al-Majali, General Manager of the Wadi Araba Development Company, confirmed that the company has defined its strategy for the next three years by setting up a development acceleration program for the coming twelve months. This program is based on attracting private sector investments, transitioning to sustainable and long-term development, expanding partnerships, and creating a clear presence and identity for the valley in international forums for innovation and investment.

Engineer Shaheen appreciated the efforts of the Jordan Valley Authority Company in protecting the fish sector and its keenness to communicate to solve any issues facing the agricultural sector, whether internal or external. He pointed out the importance of creating tourism and agricultural projects to reduce poverty and unemployment, and to support and encourage farmers in the region, especially regarding water and electricity costs. He also stressed the need to continue efforts and expand agricultural projects in the region, in partnership between local community institutions and the Wadi Araba Development Company.