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Knowledge and Innovation Center (KIC)

The evolution of the HAED-Jo project presented with findings and identification of vital sustainability components accentuating its longer-term impact including the need to fill in the existing knowledge gap which has become evident for all practitioners. The Knowledge and Innovation Center (KIC) is a state-of-the-art horticulture hub where practitioners can meet, exchange experiences, witness technology advancements and conclude experiments.   It is expected that the Center will open its doors to receive the horticulture community in the winter of 2021.

This active platform serves as a national and regional hub that brings innovations to production and post-harvest chains, introduce technologies and showcase operations, demonstrate new horticulture techniques, build partnerships with local and international businesses, and develop demand-driven training programs meeting requirements of the sector.

The center will also work on supporting Jordanian farmers to enter new markets by investing in value added crops and complying with global certification requirements. Tailored advisory services will be developed to facilitate farmers acquisition of those permits depending on targeted markets. The involvement of different actors in this vibrant setting ensures the supply-demand chain is met as farmers, traders, the private sector, academia, researchers, extension providers, technology suppliers and agriculture input companies all interact in one space.

Objectives of the Knowledge and Innovation Center:

  1. Advance the agriculture sector growth and increase economic contributions through adopting technology and management innovations in the cultivation and post-harvest value chains.
  2. Expand opportunities for green growth horticulture applications in Jordan including climate smart agriculture, efficient water use and hydroponic farming.
  3. Forge partnerships with European and international knowledge and innovation centers for exchange programs and joint applications.
  4. Establish a platform to bring the horticulture actors together and share knowledge among practitioners, researchers, innovators, financing institutions, beneficiaries and private companies operating in horticulture chains.
  5. Contribute to national education by providing capacity building programs for teachers, trainers and agriculture schools.

  6. Build a sustainable and incentivized private sector led institutional presence and capacity in Jordan.

KIC encompasses and represents an institutional private sector led foundation to secure consistent development and prosperity of the horticulture sector.  To build a successful platform, KIC’s presence and governance framework extends and integrates academia, private companies, national research and government organizations. In consequence, three satellite educational and research units are built at the Jordan University for Science and Technology (JUST), University of Jordan (UoJ) and the National Agriculture Research Center (NARC).    

Recently, HAED-JO signed an agreement with Bosman Van Zaal as a leading Dutch Partner to supply the center with a demonstration and research facility of 6 compartments. The Center will have 2 glass and 4 foil compartments for cultivation, demonstrations, and research. The compartments offer a combination of glass cover, foil cover, heating in winter, fogging, and different types of screens. 

KIC will be located in Southern Amman close to the city of Madaba and will be built on a 20,000 Square meter land surrounded by companies and farming communities. The design and layout has been recently completed and construction will begin in the near future. Click Here to view images of the design and layout. 

The Jordan University for Science and Technology (JUST)

In November 2019, HAED-JO signed an agreement with the Jordan University for Science and Technology to build its first satellite unit on campus. This collaboration re-affirms the vision of KIC in offering opportunities for students at the Faculty of Agriculture to learn and practice using innovative farming techniques for different crops. Construction work is already underway in close partnership with the University’s team. The supplied multi-span greenhouse is designed to include eight compartments. Each section is to demonstrate with different hydroponic system for different crops.  Click here to view photos from the construction site.