Hani: Register Farmers in the Agricultural Register

The Municipality of Ghalboun in Jbeil district organized a meeting with Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani in the lecture hall of the municipal building, in the presence of the ministry's Director General Dr. Louis Lahoud and a number of ministry advisors, with the participation of mayors, municipal council members, mukhtars, farmers, and residents.

After the national anthem, the municipality's president, Engineer Elie Jbeil, gave a welcoming speech and noted that today we "need creative projects to produce in a better way. We are ready to sign any understandings with the ministry to produce new projects at the national level, placing all our capabilities at the ministry's disposal to push for new sustainable projects for Ghalboun and neighboring villages so that agricultural complements are ready for production," announcing that the "Château Saint Gabriel vineyard and winery in Ghalboun won a global award this year for the quality and excellence of its production," revealing a "visit by Mount Lebanon Governor Judge Mohammad Makkawi to Ghalboun on August 22, where he will meet with the mayors of Jbeil district," explaining that "the goal of this visit is to review the projects being prepared for the district and to discuss Ghalboun's experience regarding its digital management and future vision."

For his part, Lahoud praised the experience of investor Gaby Jbeil in the winemaking project, considering it "a successful model of determination and productive investment, after he managed since 2013 to turn his project into a success story despite the economic, security, and political challenges that Lebanon witnessed," affirming that "real investment is based on faith in the land and perseverance despite circumstances."

He affirmed that "the Ministry of Agriculture continues to strengthen its presence in various regions by expanding the network of agricultural centers, having established 9 new centers, including a second center in Al-Aqoura, and is working on opening a new center in the Qartaba area to facilitate access to agricultural and extension services for citizens."

Lahoud stressed that the ministry is "a partner to farmers and not just a regulatory body," calling on citizens and municipalities to "interact with agricultural centers and forest centers and present ideas and development initiatives, thereby contributing to supporting the agricultural sector and enhancing sustainable local development."

Minister Hani in his speech praised the participation of mayors, mukhtars, and farmers in the meeting, thanking the Municipality of Ghalboun for organizing it, addressing "the importance of the farmers' register," noting that "it includes only 3 farmers from this region registered so far," stressing "the need to enhance cooperation and interaction with the Ministry of Agriculture," pointing out that "the agricultural register enables the ministry to know the locations of farmers, the nature of their work, the areas of agricultural land they own, and the types of crops they cultivate. Therefore, I ask you to register in this register for the benefit of yourselves and the agricultural sector."

He indicated that "in cooperation with the municipality president and mayors, the ministry adopts what is known as mobile units, which are field teams that come to the towns to facilitate completing the required papers and documents, thereby enabling the registration of as many farmers as possible. Moreover, we will issue a decision in the next two days to simplify registration procedures. The farmer needs proof of land ownership and a certificate from the municipality or mukhtar indicating the nature of the land and its contents, because our goal is to register actual agricultural lands, whether planted with olives or vegetables, or containing cattle farms, sheep, or apiaries. All agricultural activities can be included in the register."

He said: "This may seem like an administrative matter, but it is extremely important. The number of registrants in the farmers' register has reached about 85,000 farmers to date, while the latest agricultural statistics conducted in 2010 indicate the existence of about 120,000 farmers, with preparations underway to launch a new agricultural census soon. This means that approximately 65 percent of farmers are now registered, which is an important achievement for organizing the agricultural database in Lebanon."

He pointed out that "what we saw today in Ghalboun is a model to be emulated for Lebanese agriculture. In mountainous areas – and I come from the Chouf region, which is very similar to your region – there are no vast agricultural areas as in Akkar, the Bekaa, or some southern areas. Therefore, the future of agriculture in these areas is based on quality and added value, not on large areas or quantitative production."

He explained that "the experience we saw today, through wine production, confirms this approach. The factory is not the largest in Lebanon, but it was able to achieve distinction through product quality and create a special identity that has become known and appreciated."

In conclusion, Minister Hani answered the questions of the attendees.