By Zayed Alzyoud
Under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture Prof. Saeb Khraisat, the University of Jordan (UJ) hosted the mid-term meeting and scientific workshop of the project “From Waste to Resource: Recycling Olive Oil Extraction By-products for Sustainable Agricultural Practices in the Mediterranean (CYCLOLIVE).”
The workshop gathered experts from universities and research centers in Jordan, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye, in cooperation with the EU-funded PRIMA Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), and several international partners.
CYCLOLIVE develops practical and environmentally responsible technologies for treating olive mill wastewater (OMWW) and olive mill solid waste (OMSW), locally known as zibar. The project integrates renewable energy solutions aimed at reducing pollution, improving water availability for irrigation, and lowering production costs in alignment with the European Green Deal’s 2050 climate-neutrality goals. UJ is represented in the project consortium by Prof. Emad Al Karablieh.
Khraisat highlighted the increasing pressures on Jordan’s agricultural sector, noting that CYCLOLIVE demonstrates how olive-mill waste can shift from being an environmental challenge to an economic opportunity. Representing the UJ President, Vice President for Scientific Schools Prof. Ashraf Abu Karaky reaffirmed the university’s commitment to research partnerships that translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions across the Mediterranean.
Speakers addressed multiple environmental dimensions of the issue. Dean of the School of Agriculture Prof. Hadeel Ghazawi emphasized that olive-mill waste remains one of the sector’s most persistent challenges. Secretary General of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation Dr. Jihad Al Mahameed stressed the need to protect water resources from contamination. The project’s international coordinator Dr. Faisal Aziz outlined implementation progress and upcoming steps, while a representative of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation reaffirmed its continued support for research in water, environment, and innovation.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment Dr. Omar Arabiyat stressed the importance of developing a sustainable solution for the zibar problem, noting that CYCLOLIVE offers a practical model for converting waste into useful materials that enrich soil quality and limit pollution. He added that the Ministry views the project as a central component of national efforts to advance environmental innovation.
By hosting this workshop, UJ reinforces its position as a regional hub for agricultural innovation and sustainable resource management, strengthening scientific cooperation across the Mediterranean.