Jordanians are facing many overlapping challenges including slow economic growth, high youth unemployment, water scarcity and rising cost of living.
With 63% of the population under the age of 30, Jordan has one of the youngest populations in the world, and youth participation and mobilization is critical to finding solutions to insecurity. Food.
This is why the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Program (WFP) launched the Youth Food Security Innovation Program, which featured a group of Jordanian youth, ages 18 to 26, presenting a wide range of ideas, from tackling solid waste, to recycling shells. fruits and vegetables.
As part of the project, participants were trained on the impact of food insecurity, the opportunities and challenges directly related to food security, the role of technology in shaping the future, and the role of technology in shaping the future. food hybridization and traditional food chain change strategies.
UNICEF / Nadia Bseiso
Aya Kraik, participant in the WFP/UNICEF youth innovation project in Jordan.
Earth Revival
Aya Kreik, an architecture student in Amman is one of those young innovators. Ms. Kreik and her team have been successful in converting farm waste into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, revitalizing the soil and encouraging farmers to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers.
“My innovative idea is to increase the immunity of plants to diseases and to help the soil retain water in large proportions, which reduces the amount of irrigation water needed. A modern method for waste treatment and zero greenhouse gas production”. she explained. “We started our project at the beginning of the pandemic. With the closure, we came up with ideas to become self-sufficient when food is available. “
“The Jordanian capital Amman is a very crowded city and there is no space to grow crops,” she added. “Also, not everyone is interested in organic and healthy food, because of the lack of awareness and high prices. So we are determined to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of organic food.”
“I am proud of where I am today. We are about to start the first female-led multi-yield farm in Jordan,” announced Ms. Kreik. “We young people need to think critically and come up with new ideas regarding environmental sustainability.”
UNICEF / Nadia Bseiso
Alaa Al-Hijazeen and Nourhan Al Gharabli, participants in the UNICEF/WFP youth innovation project in Jordan.
Self-eating plants
Banking and finance graduate Alaa Al-Hijazeen and Business Intelligence student Nourhan Al Gharabli have started a startup that produces self-watering and self-feeding plants using a new type of hydrogel, consisting of natural polymers Absorbent, can turn the moisture in the air into pure water.
“Our goal is not to make money, but to leave an impact and change people’s lives,” says Alaa. Climate change is having direct impacts on food security, the air we breathe and the water we drink. We all need to act.”
“Our next step is to make this idea a reality. And we are looking at exploring more environmental businesses. Our environment is a wonderful resource and we can use it sustainably,” she added.
UNICEF / Nadia Bseiso
Alaa Thalji, participant in the WFP/UNICEF youth innovation project in Jordan.
From shell to polymer
Agricultural engineer Alaa Thalji participates in innovation training. Her project calls for recycling the peels of fruits and vegetables to create a chemical polymer that removes 99% of heavy metals from water.
“I am an agricultural engineer, specializing in water treatment. I came up with the idea during my sophomore year at university. I took a class called Environmental Chemical Pollutants, which introduced us to the dangers that pollutants pose to our health, and another class called Disposal. drinking water management, where our professor repeatedly told us water containing heavy metals cannot be used for drinking purposes.
So I thought about a lot of water sources that we unfortunately can’t use, and I set out to work on an organic and safe chemical polymer,” said Thalji.
