Hani: 'Agriculture' at the Heart of Protecting National Production

Continued Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani’s meetings with agricultural bodies, unions, production sectors, and youth, positioning the Ministry of Agriculture as a proactive force in coordinating solutions to challenges facing Lebanese agriculture, enhancing national production, and opening new opportunities for farmers and producers.

These meetings are part of a ministry approach based on field listening, bringing together various stakeholders around one table, identifying priorities, and turning them into actionable follow-up paths, parallel to implementing the National Strategy for the Agricultural Sector 2026–2035.

Minister Hani received, in the presence of General Director of Agriculture Engineer Louis Lhood, a delegation from the National Institute of Vine and Wine, led by Chairman Mr. Zafar Shawi, including Vice-Chairman Engineer Jou Asaad Tomah, Board Member Ms. Cynthia Abu Suleiman, and the Ministry of Agriculture representative on the board, Engineer Maryam Eid.

The meeting discussed the current state of the vine and wine sector and the challenges faced by producers, particularly amid rising grape production, economic crisis repercussions, difficulties related to the domestic market, and competition arising from wine imports.

Minister Hani affirmed that "the Ministry of Agriculture stands alongside Lebanese production sectors, and protecting national products requires an integrated approach combining support for production, market regulation, enhancing competitiveness, and encouraging local consumption."

He paid tribute to "Lebanese wine producers who, despite successive crises, managed to build a sector with a distinguished reputation and presence," confirming that "the ministry will continue following this file in coordination with the institute and relevant parties, working to support the sector and promote consumption of Lebanese products."

In turn, the General Director of Agriculture stressed the "importance of integrating efforts across different economic sectors," urging tourism institutions, restaurants, and hotels to "enhance the presence of Lebanese products and grant them greater space in the domestic market."

In a broader meeting, Minister Hani received the "National Forum of Agricultural Bodies" at the Ministry of Agriculture, with representatives from various production sectors participating.

The gathering provided an opportunity for direct and comprehensive dialogue on the state of Lebanese agriculture and the challenges facing farmers, especially under economic conditions, consequences of damage suffered by the agricultural sector in several regions, particularly the south.

Hani emphasized that "the ministry views agricultural bodies, unions, and associations as essential partners in shaping and developing agricultural policies," stressing that "the coming phase requires strengthening coordination between the ministry and all components of the sector, shifting from handling issues individually to an integrated approach to the agricultural sector."

He underscored the "importance of completing and developing the farmers’ registry as a fundamental tool for building an accurate database for the sector, improving targeting of programs, services, and support," while also noting "the ongoing review of possibilities to enhance social protection for farmers and expand their access to insurance systems."

Regarding markets, he pointed out that "opening foreign markets, particularly Gulf markets, represents a key opportunity for Lebanese products," noting "exports of around 1,000 tons per day to these markets," and affirming that "the ministry is working to strengthen the competitiveness of Lebanese products and facilitate their access to markets."

He also highlighted "ongoing cooperation with Syria, particularly regarding reducing smuggling and regulating product movements, which protects Lebanese production and ensures market stability." He stressed that "the coming phase requires modern, smart agricultural guidance based on knowledge and data, taking into account market demands and climate changes, and contributing to increased productivity and efficient use of water and natural resources."

At the end of the meeting, Minister Hani directed the "follow-up of the issues raised within the ministry through specialized meetings with the Cooperatives Directorate, the Green Project, and the Agricultural Scientific Research Administration," confirming that the ministry’s central and regional offices would remain open to cooperation and coordination with various agricultural bodies.

As part of ongoing follow-up on issues related to the livestock sector and food safety, Minister Hani met with the Butchers’ Union and representatives from slaughterhouse owners in Choueifat, discussing the Council of Ministers’ decision on slaughterhouses and implementation mechanisms.

Minister Hani explained the procedures related to the decision, reaffirming "the importance of cooperation between the ministry and relevant parties to ensure proper implementation, improve oversight and health standards, and regulate the sector according to established legal and technical frameworks."

Relatedly, Minister Hani received a group of youth participants in the "Youth Policy Makers Program," organized by the Lebanese Foundation for Permanent Peace in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), under the project "Strengthening Governance in Lebanon: Towards Inclusive and Open Governance."

The program aims to enhance youth and women’s participation in public policy-making, develop their capacity to design and implement evidence-based initiatives, particularly in the agriculture and culture sectors.

Director of Projects at the Lebanese Foundation for Permanent Peace, Attorney Rabih Kais, emphasized the project’s importance in providing youth with direct space to engage in public discourse and shape policies, thanking Minister Hani for hosting the meeting and enabling dialogue with young people.

In turn, Hani affirmed that "re-engaging youth in the agricultural sector is a fundamental prerequisite for sustaining Lebanese agriculture," noting that "the sector has lost part of its appeal among the younger generation, especially in rural areas, over recent years."

He clarified that "the ministry developed the National Strategy for the Agricultural Sector 2026–2035 after a broad consultative process involving all relevant parties, aiming to transition the sector from fragmented initiatives to a comprehensive national vision."

He noted that "the ministry is working to unify agricultural projects and interventions within a shared strategic framework," pointing out "around 67 agricultural projects implemented by 53 partner entities, including UN agencies and international and national organizations."

Hani stressed that "youth must be partners in shaping the future of agriculture, not merely beneficiaries of its programs," calling for "investment in knowledge, innovation, technology, and agricultural entrepreneurship, and building a sector capable of creating job opportunities and attracting a new generation of professionals and producers."

The series of meetings held by Minister Hani during this period reflects a clear direction within the Ministry of Agriculture toward managing the sector through partnership, linking decisions to ground realities, enhancing coordination among institutions and sectors, and transforming challenges into opportunities for reform and development—thereby solidifying the ministry’s role as a national reference point for the agricultural sector and reinforcing agriculture’s position as a cornerstone of food security, national economy, and sustainable rural development.