Dr. Nizar Haddad holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering from the Belgorod State Agricultural University in Russia, and a Master's degree in Management and Strategic Studies from the Royal Jordanian National Defense College, in addition to a Higher Education Diploma in National Resources Management from Mu'tah University. He served as the Director General of the National Center for Agricultural Research (NCAR) in Jordan from 2017 to 2024, after which he moved to work in a major global fruit and vegetable producing company as Global Director of Innovation and Business Development, and then worked as the Representative and Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia until September 2026.
During his management of the FAO program in Saudi Arabia, he participated in leading programs related to sustainable agricultural development, food security, and capacity building, and succeeded in activating the program's work with all stakeholders, research centers, and bodies in the Kingdom, which earned him a qualitative presence at all levels.
Haddad holds a patent for (an olive pomace component separation device), has published more than 150 refereed papers in international journals, authored and co-authored 17 scientific books and booklets, in addition to writing chapters in reference books published by international publishing houses. Among his most prominent books are: Beekeeping Management, Whispering of Oaks, Climate Change and Jordanian Food Security.
He has received a number of national awards in appreciation of his role in developing agricultural research and serving the public sector, most notably: the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order of Distinction (2024), in appreciation of the role of the National Center for Agricultural Research in developing the agricultural sector, and the Distinguished Director General or Secretary-General Award at the level of government institutions from the King Abdullah II Center for Excellence.
He also holds a number of international and regional awards in appreciation of his scientific and research contributions in the fields of agriculture and honeybee breeding, including: the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, and bronze, silver, and gold medals from the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations (APIMONDIA), and an international award for an entrepreneurial project from the United Kingdom.
Upon assuming his new position today, Haddad affirms that Jordanian competencies are capable of reaching all positions they compete for, relying on their expertise and excellence. Concurrently with his assuming the position, we hope his new role will reflect on contributing to economic, agricultural, and social development in Jordan by activating the programs of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Jordan in cooperation with the entities concerned with ICARDA's fields of work.
At a time when ICARDA operates in North Africa, Central Asia, South and West Asia, alongside its important presence in most Arab countries, and the presence of its offices and headquarters spread in about 20 countries between Morocco, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, and India, we hope that ICARDA's office in Jordan will be more active and vibrant in the coming phase to serve our beloved homeland.. May God protect Jordan.
