Hani: Formation of an Agricultural Emergency Cell in the South

Continued Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani's meetings and field visits to follow up on agricultural, research, and developmental matters, visiting the Scientific Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) in Fanar, and holding two meetings at the ministry with a delegation from the Southern Farmers' Union and another from the Kfarkla municipality, dedicated to discussing the repercussions of Israeli attacks and ways to support farmers and revitalize production sectors in affected towns.

Hani emphasized that "the Ministry of Agriculture operates on two integrated tracks: developing the sector based on modern scientific foundations and providing rapid on-the-ground responses to protect and support farmers, especially in the south. The farmer's resilience on his land is not merely an issue of production but a national matter tied to land protection and strengthening food security."

The minister began his day with a visit to the Scientific Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) in Fanar, where he met with the board chairman and general director of the institute, Dr. Jad Sheia, in the presence of several researchers and officials.

During the meeting, discussions focused on ways to enhance research, laboratory, and advisory work to meet current agricultural sector needs and emerging challenges, and to transform scientific research outcomes into practical, implementable solutions benefiting farmers and producers.

Research also addressed the role of the institute’s stations scattered across various Lebanese regions, the importance of enhancing their capabilities and equipment, and strengthening integration between them and other ministry-affiliated agricultural offices and centers, ensuring the provision of scientific services, laboratory testing, and technical oversight for all agricultural sectors.

Sheia presented the institute’s progress, its scientific and research programs, and efforts in plant protection, animal health, food safety, soil and water analysis, improving agricultural productivity, and addressing climate change impacts.

Hani underscored the national role played by the institute, stressing that "developing the agricultural sector must be based on scientific research, accurate data, innovation, and practical partnerships linking researchers directly with farmers, transforming scientific knowledge into tangible results in the field."

At the ministry, he met with a delegation from the Southern Farmers' Union, led by union president Muhammad al-Husseini, alongside Mayor Suleiman Murad of Aytoun, where the situation of the southern agricultural sector and its challenges were discussed, particularly the damage inflicted on production sectors due to recent attacks.

The meeting addressed farmers’ and agricultural cooperatives’ needs, along with those of institutions operating in the sector, emphasizing the necessity of directing aid to the most severely affected and deserving farmers, according to clear and transparent criteria ensuring support reaches rightful recipients.

Discussion also covered loans and programs funded by the GATE project in collaboration with the World Bank, and the need for rural communities to benefit, especially areas within the agricultural belt stretching from Naqoura to Al-Khayam, supporting farmers’ resilience and helping restart production.

The meeting touched on the status of livestock and beekeeping sectors, with Minister Hani affirming that supporting production sectors remains a priority, noting that interventions have already begun with cattle and goat herders, with plans to gradually expand to beekeepers and other sectors under a comprehensive plan considering the extent of damages, needs, and priorities.

In organizing response efforts for the coming phase, Hani requested that an agricultural emergency cell be formed in the south, including heads of relevant offices and agencies, particularly those responsible for plant agriculture and the Southern Agricultural Office, to develop a clear roadmap for sector revival, identify urgent interventions and priorities based on each region’s and sector’s specific needs.

"We aim to move from fragmented interventions to a coordinated response based on a precise map of damages and needs, defining priorities, implementation mechanisms, and monitoring procedures," said Minister Hani. "Our goal is to ensure support actually reaches affected farmers, and that assistance translates into sustainable productive capacity, enabling them to restore activity and remain on their land."

Participants stressed the importance of supporting plant production, particularly olive farming and nurseries, focusing on rehabilitating damaged nurseries and assisting their owners, given their crucial role in restoring production and supplying seedlings to farmers.

They also discussed volunteer initiatives and days of volunteering carried out with participation from numerous volunteers in southern villages and regions. At the end of the meeting, an invitation was extended to Minister Hani to join several upcoming agricultural exhibitions and activities in the south, enhancing direct communication with farmers, cooperatives, municipalities, and local authorities.

Minister Hani also received a visit from Mayor of Kfarkla, Attorney Hassan Chait, accompanied by the village chief Muhammad Sarhan and several municipal council members and farmers, who presented the difficult situation facing the town due to widespread destruction affecting its infrastructure, properties, and agricultural lands.

The meeting specifically addressed conditions of lands between Kfarkla and Deir Mimas, particularly olive groves that remained undamaged. The delegation requested the ministry’s assistance in securing necessary permits to enable farmers to access their lands and harvest their olive crops, coordinated with the Mechanism Committee and the Lebanese Army.

Hani welcomed the delegation, commending the resilience of Kfarkla residents and their attachment to their land, confirming that the Ministry of Agriculture has closely monitored conditions in southern towns during the most challenging times, carrying out field interventions to support farmers and protect livestock.

He clarified that these interventions included rescuing several bee colonies and relocating them to safe areas, assisting beekeepers and livestock breeders, as well as supporting wheat farmers in obtaining necessary permits to access their fields and harvest their crops. These efforts succeeded in some cases, while access remained impossible in others.

He affirmed that the olive sector is currently one of the ministry’s top priorities, and work continues, in coordination with relevant parties, to secure favorable conditions for farmers to reach their groves, harvest their crops, and protect them.

"The people of Kfarkla and other southern towns have paid a heavy price, and it is our duty to stand with them and help them safely access their lands and restore their production. We will continue, within available frameworks and in coordination with the Lebanese Army and relevant authorities, to follow up on olive farmers’ files and protect their harvest season, because saving the crop safeguards families’ livelihoods and strengthens their connection to their land," said Hani.

Discussions also included enhancing registration in the farmers’ registry in Kfarkla, with Hani clarifying that the ministry will dedicate mobile registration units to visit locations where displaced farmers from the town reside, coordinated with the village chief and the Nabatiye Agricultural Office, given the unique circumstances of these individuals.

A list of registered farmers will be prepared and delivered to the municipality and village chief, aiming to identify those who have not completed their procedures and assist them in finalizing registration, facilitating the identification of needs and enabling access to support and assistance programs.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed to monitor the issues raised daily with the Nabatiye Agricultural Office and relevant parties, and to address urgent needs within available resources and programs, supporting the resilience of Kfarkla farmers and helping them return to their lands and restore their sources of livelihood.