Hani Launches Second Tomato Festival in Kfernabkh

Lebanese Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani opened the second annual tomato festival in the village of Kfernabkh. The event drew attendance from MP Fred Bastani, heads of agricultural unions and municipalities, leaders of agricultural cooperatives, and a large group of farmers and local residents.

Farmer Registration as National Tool

Hani delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of enrolling farmers in the official Farmers’ Registry. He described the registry as a foundational national instrument for sector organization and for building an accurate database. That database, he said, enables the ministry to identify farmers’ needs and direct support programs, extension services, and agricultural projects according to clear and equitable criteria.

Contractual Farming and Responsible Investment

The minister underscored the need to expand contractual farming and encourage responsible agricultural investment. Such expansion, he stated, guarantees farmers better marketing opportunities for their output, strengthens the stability of agricultural value chains, and enhances the competitiveness of Lebanese products in both domestic and foreign markets.

Role of Agricultural Fairs and Festivals

Hani noted that holding agricultural fairs and festivals across Lebanon’s regions serves as a vital platform for showcasing local produce and highlighting its quality. These events also facilitate direct links between producers and consumers, reduce intermediary layers, and improve farmers’ economic returns.

Mount Lebanon Market Initiative

He cited the Mount Lebanon Market initiative as a concrete expression of this approach. Its objective, he explained, is to shorten the distance between farmer and consumer and to open direct marketing channels for producers—thereby supporting the sustainability of agricultural work and reinforcing consumer confidence in Lebanese goods.

Natural Resource Protection and Youth Engagement

Hani stressed the necessity of protecting natural resources and ensuring the sound use of agricultural land, warning against leaving such land vulnerable to neglect. He called on young people to engage in agriculture and invest in modern technologies and entrepreneurial projects, affirming that the agricultural sector remains a productive engine and a cornerstone of the local economy, rural development, and job creation.

At the conclusion of the event, battery-powered pruning shears and saws—donated by the SEAL Foundation—were distributed to participating farmers who had attended a training workshop, as part of efforts to support and empower them in applying the knowledge and skills acquired during the session.

Following the ceremony, Minister Hani toured the festival grounds, visited farmers’ and exhibitors’ booths, reviewed their agricultural and food products, and listened to their concerns and the challenges they face. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Agriculture’s ongoing commitment to backing local initiatives that strengthen production and marketing—and that restore agriculture to its central role in developing Lebanon’s rural areas and anchoring farmers in their land.