Committee Established to Develop the Dragon Fruit Sector

Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani issued a decision to form a committee for developing and coordinating the "Dragon Fruit" sector, aiming to organize and develop the sector, strengthen integration between production, manufacturing, storage, and marketing, and support the quality of local production by adopting technical and health specifications at various stages of agricultural work.

The decision defines a framework for cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Scientific Research Institute, and the private sector, bringing together administrative, technical, and research expertise along with sector stakeholders to assess its reality, identify challenges and development opportunities, and prepare proposals and programs that support farmers and manufacturers and guide sector development.

The committee is chaired by Engineer Desiree Al-Daieh, Acting Head of the Plant Protection Department. It includes from the Ministry of Agriculture: Engineer Huda Al-Akhras, Acting Head of the Crop Protection Division, as rapporteur; Engineer Fatima Baydoun, Acting Head of the Horticulture Division; and Engineer Charbel Al-Hajj, Acting Head of the Agricultural Export and Import Division, as members.
From the Agricultural Scientific Research Institute, the committee includes Dr. Ziad Rizk, Director of Agricultural Branches at the Fanar Laboratories, in addition to a representative of the Institute.

Regarding the private sector, the committee includes Engineer Mamdouh Assi, Engineer Ibrahim Koussairani, Engineer Mia Jbour, and Mr. Adel Chamout, Mr. Ali Fadel, Mr. Bachara Choueri, and Mr. Mohammad Nahoul.
The committee undertakes, within the tasks assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture under applicable laws and regulations, to assess the reality of the dragon fruit sector in terms of production, challenges, and opportunities, and to propose a program to support farmers and manufacturers and develop their capabilities, in cooperation with relevant parties.

Its tasks include strengthening integration between production, manufacturing, storage, and marketing links, proposing mechanisms to regulate the local market, encouraging contract farming, and linking producers with manufacturers and traders, thereby supporting coordination among stakeholders throughout the production and marketing chain.

The committee also supports scientific research and agricultural extension in the sector, proposes necessary policies and recommendations to support and guide it, reviews relevant texts and agreements, and submits appropriate proposals regarding them.
The decision pays special attention to enhancing the quality of local production and adopting technical and health specifications at the stages of cultivation, harvesting, and storage, so that quality becomes an essential part of the sector's development path.

Under the decision, the committee holds meetings as needed, convened by its chairperson, and submits periodic reports to the Minister of Agriculture on its activities and the proposals and recommendations it reaches.
The decision stipulates the cancellation of any text conflicting with its content, its publication and notification to relevant parties, and its implementation immediately upon issuance.
The committee provides an institutional framework for coordinating efforts between public administration, scientific research, and the private sector, and transforming the needs of the dragon fruit sector into recommended proposals and programs that support production development, improve its quality, and organize its marketing.