As part of its ongoing monitoring of the agricultural sector in the Kingdom within the framework of its mandate to promote the right to development, the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) held a hearing session in the Northern Shouneh District at the premises of the Northern Shouneh Association, with the participation of a number of farmers and owners of agricultural enterprises.
The session aimed to identify the principal challenges facing the agricultural sector and to hear participants’ views and proposals on ways to develop the sector and enhance its sustainability in line with human rights principles and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants discussed a range of issues affecting the agricultural sector, most notably water scarcity and the need to secure sustainable water resources, rising production costs, challenges related to agricultural marketing, shortages of agricultural labour, and the impacts of climate change on agricultural production. They also highlighted the importance of supporting farmers and strengthening the sustainability of agricultural enterprises.
Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships among the relevant authorities and stakeholders in the agricultural sector and of adopting policies and programmes that contribute to improving the agricultural working environment, enhancing food security, and advancing economic and social development in agricultural communities.
The session forms part of the National Centre for Human Rights’ efforts to monitor the enjoyment of economic, social, and cultural rights and to engage with relevant stakeholders with the aim of documenting challenges and needs and submitting appropriate recommendations to the competent authorities. As part of its strategic plan, the Centre continues to conduct field monitoring of the agricultural sector across the Kingdom.
The Centre noted that it has previously communicated the recommendations resulting from its field monitoring visits to the relevant authorities and continues to work in partnership with them to support their implementation and follow up on the progress made.
