The Amman Forum for Agricultural Entrepreneurship, organized by the Jordanian Association for Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Innovation in collaboration with the Agricultural Materials Traders and Producers Syndicate, convened this week in Amman to address the critical role of agricultural innovation in bolstering Jordan’s national economy and ensuring food security. The event brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss challenges and map out a future for a knowledge-based agricultural economy.
A National Call for Modernization and Support
In his opening remarks, Khalil Haj Tawfiq, President of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, described the forum as a vital national platform reflecting a growing awareness of agricultural innovation’s importance in tackling food security and climate change challenges. He emphasized the Chamber’s view of agriculture as a promising investment sector that requires modern vision and development.
Haj Tawfiq stressed the need to empower young entrepreneurs by providing the necessary legislation and funding for their ventures. He highlighted that effective collaboration between the public and private sectors, alongside civil society institutions, is the optimal path toward building an agricultural economy founded on knowledge and innovation. Echoing this sentiment, Eng. Saleh Al-Yassin, Head of the Agricultural Materials Traders and Producers Syndicate, affirmed that supporting agricultural innovators is a direct investment in the future of Jordan’s food security.
Fostering a New Generation of Agri-Entrepreneurs
Dr. Imad Ayasra, President of the Jordanian Association for Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Innovation, explained that the forum is part of the association’s broader effort to establish agricultural entrepreneurship as a national priority. He called for increased support for agricultural business incubators across governorates to help youth transform their ideas into sustainable projects.
Dr. Ayasra noted that agricultural entrepreneurship is a key driver for achieving food security, promoting the green economy, and creating job opportunities for youth in both rural and urban areas. The association is partnering with financial and academic institutions to launch training programs focused on smart agriculture, modern technologies, and food processing to equip entrepreneurs with essential skills.
The Role of AI and Innovation
A highlight of the event was a lecture by former Minister of Labor, Dr. Maen Al-Qatamin, on the “Role of Artificial Intelligence in Developing Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Innovation.” He positioned creativity as a crucial tool for overcoming economic challenges within the sector and urged for empowering youth with the technical and cognitive skills needed to turn ideas into impactful projects.
“The future will belong to those who plant ideas as much as those who plant the land,” Dr. Al-Qatamin stated, calling on Jordanian institutions to adopt an innovation-centric approach and invest in young minds. The forum also featured an innovation exhibition showcasing dozens of projects in hydroponics, organic farming, modern technology, and renewable energy.
Key Outcomes and Recommendations
The forum concluded with a series of actionable recommendations aimed at creating a sustainable framework for agricultural innovation. Participants called for the integration of agricultural entrepreneurship into national economic modernization programs and the establishment of a national fund dedicated to financing agricultural innovation. Other key proposals included developing digital incubators in the provinces, empowering rural women and young farmers through sustainable projects, and forming a national committee to oversee the implementation of these recommendations and ensure the forum is held annually.
About The Amman Forum for Agricultural Entrepreneurship
The Amman Forum for Agricultural Entrepreneurship is an initiative organized by the Jordanian Association for Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Innovation and the Agricultural Materials Traders and Producers Syndicate. The event serves as a national platform to promote innovation, support entrepreneurs, and foster dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders to advance Jordan’s agricultural sector and enhance its food security.
Source: Jordanzad
