The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the University of Jordan today announced the official opening of the National Knowledge Hub for Land and Water Productivity, a cornerstone achievement in the effort to enhance sustainable agricultural water management in one of the world's most water-scarce countries.
The establishment of the Hub, generously funded by the Government of the Netherlands, marks a significant step in addressing the critical water challenges facing Jordan and the wider Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. With agriculture consuming approximately 60% of Jordan's water resources, effective management of this precious commodity is vital for achieving national food security and a sustainable development agenda. The Hub will serve as a dedicated national platform for training, applied research, and the co-development of tools to support these efforts.
The President of the University of Jordan (UJ), Prof. Nathir Obeidat, described the newly established hub as “a pivotal milestone in the university’s journey to advance scientific research, strengthen food security, and promote sustainable development.” He added that the partnership with FAO and the Embassy of the Netherlands “reflects the trust of international institutions in UJ’s capacity to lead applied research and manage scientific knowledge in strategic fields.”
The Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Amman, Peer de Vries expressed his country’s pride in partnering with UJ, stating: “The Kingdom of the Netherlands is proud to support Jordan in managing its water resources efficiently and sustainably. For centuries, we have transformed water challenges into opportunities through knowledge and innovation. This hub now embodies a constructive partnership that brings together Dutch expertise and Jordanian knowledge to develop sustainable local solutions.” He emphasized that WaPOR is a prime example of translating data into practical outcomes, noting that the hub will serve as “a regional platform for training, knowledge exchange, and applied research, benefitting students, researchers, and decision-makers alike.”
"This event marks a cornerstone achievement for FAO, the University of Jordan, and, most importantly, for the people of Jordan," said Eng. Nabil Assaf, FAO Representative in Jordan. "The Hub will empower our colleagues from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Jordan Valley Authority with the essential skills to use and validate WaPOR data for operational monitoring and planning. By engaging graduate students and young professionals, we are ensuring that this vital knowledge is not only transferred but also sustained across generations." Assaf added.
The Hub, created by rehabilitating and upgrading an existing GIS and remote sensing laboratory, is now a modern, fully equipped facility with advanced IT infrastructure and specialized equipment for geospatial analysis. Since becoming operational earlier this year, it has already hosted a series of successful training courses for technical teams from Jordan and Palestine, covering topics from open-source Geographic Information Systems to advanced tools for assessing groundwater use.
Beyond training, the Hub is designed to serve as a trusted decision-support space for Jordan's water and agriculture institutions. By integrating WaPOR datasets with national data systems, the Hub will enable ministries and authorities to analyze trade-offs, identify efficiency gains, and prioritize investments. This approach directly supports evidence-based policy, ensuring that scarce resources are allocated where they can generate the highest social, economic, and environmental returns.
The Knowledge Hub is a replicable model for strengthening institutional capacity and fostering innovation, offering a blueprint for other water-scarce countries striving for evidence-based water policy.