INVESTBANK, the leading bank in providing innovative banking solutions, with its managing partner of the organic farming project in Ajloun, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), has signed the extension of their agreement that supports the organic farming initiative through Community Based Organizations in the different villages within the Ajloun governorate.

The announcement was made during the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between RSCN Director General Yehya Khaled and INVESTBANK CEO Muntaser Dawwas.

For eight consecutive years, INVESTBANK has promoted organic farming in Ajloun and supported local communities by offering agricultural machinery and equipment including financing purchases of organic pesticide, organic crops, natural fertilizers and irrigation units. The project has also focused on developing the skills and know-how of Ajloun farmers in addition to training them on means to reduce wasted produce and adopt best practices in product packaging. This has resulted in the birth of Al Shams Farmers’ Market, that made produce available in the capital Amman.

Early this year, INVESTBANK expanded the reach of the project, and embraced another community-based organization, Um Al Yanabee Women Association, to train a wider range of farmers to adopt the same progressive business model.

This MOU will kickstart the second phase of Um al Yanabee Women Association support to implement the capacity building theories on-the-ground and provide them with agricultural materials, as well as, helping them get the organic farming certification. Another provision is to revitalize the model farm in Ajloun reserve, that is considered a stop point for all the reserve visitors to live an authentic experience and enjoy traditional practices.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, INVESTBANK CEO Muntaser Dawwas said, “Lifting local community is a kickstart for local development. And in order to make a noticeable transformation in the organic farming landscape and boost the local community empowerment, we continue merging collaborations with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to play a significant role in giving such organizations the tools to develop and advance local communities both directly and indirectly.”

Al Shams Farmers’ Market operates every Saturday at INVESTBANK’s Abdoun branch, selling fresh, natural and organic produce, as well as packaged items such as oil, honey, jam and much more, with delivery available on Mondays. www.souqalshams.com