962 – Amman
The Minister of Agriculture, Khaled Al-Hneifat, stated that the sugar beet (bengal) cultivation project includes the establishment of a factory valued at approximately 200 million dinars, with the aim of producing 300,000 tons of sugar and 500,000 tons of animal feed.
In a press statement, Al-Hneifat added that sugar beet grows on saline water, and the Azraq region was chosen, covering an area of around 180,000 dunams, for its cultivation.
He explained that the choice to invest in sugar beet cultivation was due to the high water yield per cubic meter of water.
Al-Hneifat estimated that the project will create around 5,000 job opportunities across its agricultural, commercial, and industrial sectors.
The Minister mentioned that the project will increase self-sufficiency by 6-7 percentage points and boost self-sufficiency in animal feed, red meat, and other products such as methanol by around 100,000 tons.
He further explained that coordination has already begun with four companies that will continue investing in the project, noting that production will be managed by a specialized agricultural association comprising farmers, who will be supported with the necessary agricultural machinery to ensure sustainable production.
The ministry held meetings with farmers on Thursday to discuss the cultivation of sugar beet, with more than 180,000 dunams allocated for this purpose.
Al-Hneifat called on companies to begin implementing the project immediately, emphasizing the ministry’s readiness to provide the necessary facilitation.
Investors appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and expressed their determination to proceed with the steps required to establish the factory.
It is worth noting that the meeting is part of the ministry’s efforts to enhance national food security, achieve self-sufficiency, and support sustainable development in Jordan’s agricultural sector, in alignment with the royal vision.
Al-Mamlaka