A workshop held on Tuesday by the “Foster” programme, in cooperation with the National Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition (Najma) and hosted by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), explored food systems transformation scenarios in Jordan and ways to accelerate their implementation.
The workshop, part of the activities of the Dutch-funded Foster programme implemented by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with the Environmental Change Institute at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and the University of Oxford, focused on achieving effective, nutritious, and sustainable food systems.
In her opening remarks, JOHUD Executive Director Farah Daghistani stressed the fund’s future-focused commitment to engaging in key emerging issues that closely intersect with its work in governance and gender.
She noted that JOHUD, which will soon mark its 50th anniversary, is dedicated to supporting sustainable community development and the empowerment of women and youth. The fund’s forward-looking strategy includes addressing critical issues such as food security, good governance, access to finance, and sustainability.
Daghistani added that JOHUD seeks to create impact beyond immediate solutions by driving systemic changes in policies and frameworks that promote sustainable growth. The organisation leverages its 52 community centres across the Kingdom and a strong network of youth, women, and community leaders to influence local development and empower communities to face these challenges.
She affirmed that JOHUD and the Najma Alliance are working to build a local and regional model for public-private partnership that strengthens civil society’s role and contributes to achieving national development and empowerment goals.
Najma Secretary-General Dr. Waleed Abd Rabbo highlighted the urgency of transforming Jordan’s food system, particularly in light of existing trends and challenges.
He said the workshop aimed to exchange views on possible food governance and marketing scenarios, the roles of the private sector and civil society, and to critically assess the effects of food system changes on stakeholders while exploring strategies to drive this transformation.
Dr. Mahmoud Al-Rabai, former Assistant Secretary-General for Projects and Development at the Ministry of Agriculture and a consultant for international organisations, presented Jordan’s efforts to strengthen food security and governance through the establishment of the Supreme Council for Food Security.
He noted that Jordan is one of the first countries in the region to actively pursue food system transformation, referring to the Amman Declaration on food and agriculture transformation in the Arab region, which emphasised the importance of this shift for agricultural development and food security.
Soha Al-Bitar, a representative of the Netherlands Embassy in Amman, stated that sound food, health, economic, and social systems lie at the core of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She stressed that now more than ever, sustainable healthy food production is essential, especially for vulnerable groups and refugees.
She also called for enhanced public-private-civil society partnerships in driving food systems transformation and commended Jordan’s efforts toward food security.
Jim Wodhull, representative of the University of Oxford, expressed pride in working with the Jordanian government, civil society organisations, and other partners towards a sustainable food system transformation. He noted that this approach—especially in times of conflict, crisis, climate change, and natural disasters—can help avert hunger and food insecurity.
The workshop concluded with a presentation of key food system transformation scenarios adopted in Jordan, as well as the tools needed to implement them.