Minister of Agriculture, Khaled Hneifat, said the ministry is examining plans to support the Kingdom's fish sector and overcome the related challenges.

During a meeting Sunday, with a number of fish farmers in Jordan Valley, Hneifat noted import of 40,000 tonnes of marine, river and canned fish will be slashed if the sector continues to receive assistance, adding that local production meets 3% of domestic need, which is about 40% of Jordan's consumption of freshwater fish.

Hneifat referred to the investment and partnership plan that supports the sector's major associations by financing production operations and protecting the product if indicators are "close to self-sufficiency."

The ministry, he noted, is "ready" to study supporting the Kingdom's fish sector by establishing a factory in joint partnership, to launch fish sorting and refrigerating operations, which would lead to expansion of the sector’s operational scope that would provide new job opportunities, reduce imports, and support achievement of Jordan's food security.

On future plans, Hneifat noted the ministry is studying proposals aimed to support and develop the sector, reduce production costs, and achieve "appropriate" marketing for the local product, which is open to all "constructive" partnerships.

For their part, farmers valued the ministry's efforts and follow-up in supporting and enhancing the sector, referring to its cooperation opportunities presented at the meeting.