In coordination with JITOA, with technical support from the FAO, and the EBRD through the funding of the European Union’s Trade and Competitiveness Programme and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Multi-Donor Account (MDA), a FAM trip took place on Saturday, November 2, to exhibit and showcase the potential in Jordan’s agricultural tourism sector. Such initiatives serve to boost innovation and diversification of tourism, while supporting local farm communities and ultimately growing the economy.
This tour also provided the opportunity for JITOA members to get as close a view as possible of the two regions, Karak and Ghor Al-Safi, with an emphasis on distinctive Agri-tourism.
It started with an interactive visit to Book Agri in Karak, where the participants joined in the rural way of life. They visited the family of Mr. Abu Ashraf in the Mujib area, then took part in a workshop with Ms. Hanaa Al-Qadiri, where the participants mastered traditional cheese-making techniques. Participants obtained first-hand information on the production and preservation of white cheese at home.
It included a visit to the Karaki Jameed House project for exploring the value chain of various dairy products. The visit ended with a delicious meal that was constituted of Karaki Mansaf, prepared with local ingredients by women of the Karak Governorate.
The last and final visit was Al Safi Kitchen in Ghor Al-Safi, where participants were introduced to various activities offered by the project, including bicycle tours and seasonal harvesting of vegetables.
This collaborative initiative has pointed out great opportunities in Jordan’s agricultural tourism sector, emphasizing the possibility of diversification in tourism experiences and contributing to the growth of local economies. Agriculture and tourism combined point to new pathways in sustainable development and resilience at the community level.
