Within the framework of daily follow-up of agricultural sector files and enhancing direct communication with farmers, municipalities and cooperatives, the Minister of Agriculture, Nizar Hani, held a series of meetings in the ministry, which dealt with a range of agricultural and development issues, from supporting farmers and strengthening their resilience, to developing the infrastructure for the post-harvest stage, and modernizing the beekeeping sector, all the way to expanding marketing opportunities for Lebanese agricultural products abroad.
In this context, Minister Hani followed up on a number of files related to the town of Shebaa, listening to the most prominent needs and challenges facing farmers in the town and the region, and discussing ways to support them and enhance their ability to continue production and resilience on their land, especially in light of the difficult conditions that the border areas are experiencing.
The meetings also dealt with the affairs of housing cooperatives and mutual funds, in addition to a number of development and social files, where the importance of strengthening cooperative and solidarity work and its role in supporting local communities and raising their ability to face economic and social challenges was emphasized.
Hani devoted part of his meetings to discussing ways to develop agricultural infrastructure for the post-harvest stage, especially the establishment and development of cooling, sorting, packing and canning centres, as an essential link in agricultural value chains. The importance of these facilities was emphasized in reducing waste and losses, maintaining the quality and safety of crops, prolonging their storage and marketing period, raising their added value and enhancing their competitiveness in local and foreign markets.
Within the framework of modernizing the productive sectors, the Minister also discussed adopting modern technologies in beekeeping and apiary management, which contributes to protecting the hives, improving production efficiency and quality of honey, supporting beekeepers and developing this sector due to its economic, agricultural and environmental importance.
In terms of opening markets and enhancing exports, Hani held a meeting via video communication technology with a Qatari company that expressed interest in Lebanese crops and agricultural products. The research addressed cooperation and marketing opportunities and the possibility of developing new trade channels that would allow more Lebanese production to reach the Qatari market, thus opening additional horizons for farmers and producers and contributing to enhancing Lebanese agricultural exports.
The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that its doors will remain open to farmers, municipalities, cooperatives, and the private sector, and that the meetings it holds on an ongoing basis form part of an approach based on listening to actual needs, and linking them to practical solutions, investments, and partnerships, in a way that enhances local development, raises the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, and protects the sustainability of production.
