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The main objectives of the present National Agricultural Development Strategy are of economic, social and environmental nature. In particular, the Strategy aims to attain the following: Economic Objectives: 1) Provide a suitable environment for the private sector to effectively participate in agricultural development; 2) Increase investment in the agricultural sector; 3) Enhance integration between plant and animal production; 4) Provide new job opportunities and work in the agricultural sector; 5) Increase incomes of farmers and workers in the supporting agricultural activities; 6) Ensure economic equity between agriculture and others sectors of the economy and within the agricultural sector itself; 7) Increase productivity and decrease production costs; 8) Improve the competitiveness of produce in quality and price in local and export markets; 9) Increase agricultural production and increase its contribution to the GDP; 10) Increase the degree of self-reliance in food, and improve the agricultural trade balance; 11) Attain integration between the agricultural sector and the other economic sectors, especially in the area of processing of agricultural products; 12) Link domestic supply with market demand; 13) Develop farmer organizations and other private-sector groups working in the agricultural sector. Social Objectives: 1) Limit migration from rural areas into urban areas; 2) Increase women participation in agricultural development; 3) Enhance the capabilities of farmers and agricultural workers, and develop their knowledge base and abilities to effectively participate in the socio-economic development of the rural areas; 4) Improve health, educational, social services, and living standards for rural people. Environmental Objectives: 1) Conserve land, water and natural vegetation, and utilize them within their production capacity to ensure sustainable and long-term agricultural production; 2) Conserve Jordan’s biodiversity and utilize it in supporting agricultural development; 3) Improve the technical and managerial capabilities in the agricultural sector to cope with probable climate and environmental changes, and absorb their consequences.In Chapter I it is stated that the Economic Advisory Council established an Agricultural Committee (AC) to prepare a National Strategy for Agricultural Development for the period 2000-2010. This Agricultural Committee established five specialized sub-sector committees for the preparation of the sub-sector strategies according to a unified methodology. An information committee was also established to provide the subcommittees with needed data and statistics. The five sub-sectors committees are: 1) The Committee for Rain-Fed Agriculture; 2) The Committee for Irrigated Agriculture in the Jordan Valley; 3) The Committee for Irrigated Agriculture in the Highlands; 4) The Committee for Animal Production and Rangeland; 5) The Committee for Marketing of Agricultural Products.Section 2 of Chapter 6 deals with animal productions, animal feed production, red meat production (sheep, goats and cattle); milk production; poultry production; fish production; honey production. Furthermore, small family livestock projects are promoted, as well as agricultural development of watersheds for combating desertification; protection of plant biodiversity in rangeland areas; environmental chances monitoring and desertification control; desertification control; beekeeping development are also dealt with.Chapter IX specifies the Follow up on Strategy Implementation and Evaluation. The follow up will include systematic assessment of implementation stages and evaluation of achievements, with the aim of removing obstacles and introducing changes to plans and programmes on the basis of encountered problems and constraints. The success in implementing the programmes, projects and measures of the NSAD depends, to a great extent, on the follow up and evaluation system, which requires the designation of an entity to carry out these functions and setting a mechanism for its work. It is recommended that the Economic Consultative Council designate such entity, which will bear the responsibility for follow up and evaluation of the performance of the public and PS institutions responsible for implementing the NSAD and the mechanism for carrying out its responsibilities.The text consists of 9 Chapters as follows: Introduction (I); Background (II); The Role of the Agricultural Sector in Development (III); Current Status of the Agricultural Sector (IV); The Future of the Agricultural Sector (V); Policies and Strategies for Subsectoral Developments (VI); Enabling Environment and Support Services (VII); Expected Economic, Social and Environmental Returns (VIII); Follow up on Strategy Implementation and Evaluation (IX). One Annex listing Priority Projects is enclosed.
