Lebanese Agriculture Minister Highlights Importance of Investing in Agricultural Education during Netherlands Visit

Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani wrapped up his official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, marking a significant step in strengthening agricultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries. The visit opened new avenues for partnership in scientific research, agricultural education, innovation, and modern agricultural technology, supporting efforts to develop Lebanon's agricultural sector and enhance its food security and sustainability.

He was accompanied by an official delegation including the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Louis Lahoud; the General Director of Cooperatives, Engineer Gloria Abu Zeid; the head of the "Green Project," Engineer Raymond Khoury; the Deputy Head of the Agricultural Scientific Research Department, Dr. Rami Al-Laqis; as well as the minister's advisors Fadi Ghanem and Mazen Halwani. This delegation underscored the integration among official agricultural institutions and research and development bodies involved in implementing the ministry’s vision to advance the agricultural sector.

On the final day of the visit, Hani and his delegation visited Aeres University of Applied Sciences in the city of Dronten, a leading academic institution specializing in agriculture, horticulture, food systems, and rural development. The delegation reviewed the Dutch model for preparing agricultural competencies and developing applied education systems directly linked to the needs of the production sector.

The visit included a field tour of the university’s educational farm, where the delegation examined advanced training and research facilities that operate on a partnership model between educational institutions and the private sector. This approach enables students and researchers to gain practical experience and develop innovative solutions to agricultural and food challenges. The tour provided insight into advanced models of education based on field application, innovation, and agricultural entrepreneurship.

Minister Hani also held an extensive meeting with the university’s director, Mr. Rik Meerema, who is the Vice Chair of the Executive Board of Aeres Foundation, and Ms. Martine van Tilburg, alongside several officials and academics. During the meeting, specialized presentations were given by Mr. Thijs Korevaar and Mr. Mohamed Al-Hassan on the agricultural education system in the Netherlands and the strategic linkage mechanisms between education, scientific research, and industry. These mechanisms aim to convert knowledge and innovation into sustainable economic and productive value.

During the meeting, Hani emphasized that developing agricultural education and scientific research constitutes a fundamental pillar for any genuine agricultural renaissance. He stressed the importance of building cooperative bridges between Lebanese academic and research institutions and their Dutch counterparts to benefit from advanced expertise and transfer modern knowledge and technology to Lebanon.

In the afternoon, the delegation traveled to Wageningen, the global center for agricultural knowledge and innovation, where they participated in a specialized session presenting the results of a study prepared by Mr. Jos Leters for the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2025. The study focused on market readiness and required interventions to establish a roadmap for developing Lebanon’s agricultural exports.

The presentation highlighted available opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of Lebanese agricultural products in regional and international markets, the necessary measures to improve agricultural value chains, raise production quality, and develop marketing and export capacities. These efforts aim to increase economic returns for farmers and stimulate growth in the agricultural sector.

The program concluded with a comprehensive evaluation meeting dedicated to reviewing the key outcomes of the visit and the meetings held by the Lebanese delegation with Dutch governmental, academic, and research institutions. The meeting also identified subsequent steps to translate the visit’s outputs into practical cooperation programs and joint initiatives serving the priorities of the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture.

At the end of the visit, Minister Hani affirmed that the Dutch experience represents a global model worthy of emulation in integrating scientific research, education, and innovation with agricultural production. He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to work on strengthening international partnerships that contribute to modernizing Lebanon’s agricultural sector, empowering farmers, and enhancing the efficiency of national agricultural institutions to meet future challenges and bolster food security and sustainable development in Lebanon.