By Zayed Alzyoud
The University of Jordan (UJ) concluded the final conference of the EU-funded project “AgroTechnology VET Centres to Network and Train Future Farmers in Jordan and Palestine,” marking the completion of a major regional effort to modernize agricultural education and integrate advanced technologies into farming systems.
The opening session brought together senior academic and institutional leaders, including UJ representative Prof. Monther AlSadder, Chair of the Organizing Committee Prof. Ahmed Al-Salaymeh, Chief Executive Officer of AgriWatch Netherlands Dr. Ali Abkar, Director of the International Affairs Unit Dr. Sameh Al-Zubeidi, and Dean of the School of Agriculture Prof. Hadeel Ghazzawi. Speakers underscored the project’s contribution to upgrading vocational training, advancing smart-farming practices, and supporting national strategies that address food security and water scarcity.
Conference sessions explored themes such as agricultural curriculum reform, the outcomes of a UN FAO initiative on water-scarcity adaptation, and the development of digital learning modules designed to strengthen practical, technology-driven agricultural training. Additional discussions focused on agrivoltaics, hydroponics, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and sustainable farming models, emphasizing the need to accelerate the transfer of emerging technologies from research to real world agricultural applications in Jordan and Palestine.
AgroTec seeks to empower young people with modern production tools and foster cross-border cooperation among partners from Jordan, Palestine, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Germany through a network that promotes innovation, applied training, and entrepreneurship in agriculture.
Participants concluded the conference by stressing the importance of sustaining international cooperation and continued investment in agricultural innovation to enhance resilience and equip the next generation with the skills needed to meet evolving regional food-security demands amid growing climate pressures and limited natural resources.