New Agricultural Model in Lebanon... Hani: Higher Productivity and Technology!

According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, "On a day filled with national and strategic files, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani continued implementing the ministry's agenda aimed at modernizing the agricultural sector and enhancing its ability to face economic, climatic, and developmental challenges through expanding partnerships with specialized institutions and bodies, improving services provided to farmers, developing planning and management tools, and protecting natural resources."

The minister’s program included a series of activities and meetings, starting with participation in the presentation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy at the Government Palace, followed by meetings at the Ministry of Agriculture involving the signing of five memoranda of understanding and partnerships with Lebanese institutions, associations, and professional syndicates, as well as specialized sectoral discussions, preparations for launching the agricultural census, and media engagements addressing agricultural and national issues.

At the Government Palace, Minister Hani participated in the presentation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, emphasizing the importance of integrating modern technologies into productive sectors, particularly agriculture, which increasingly requires precise data, scientific analysis, digital mapping, early warning systems, and intelligent resource prediction and management tools.

He emphasized that "digital transformation is no longer an option for Lebanese agriculture but a necessity to improve productivity, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen the efficiency of agricultural services," stressing that "the ministry is working to build a sector more reliant on knowledge, data, and technology."

5 Partnerships to Expand the Agricultural Network

At the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Hani signed five memoranda of understanding and partnerships, in the presence of representatives from the concerned parties, marking the ministry’s direction toward expanding cooperation with civil and professional sectors and leveraging specialized expertise to implement practical programs that directly benefit farmers and the agricultural sector.

He signed a memorandum of understanding with the "Safadi Foundation," represented by Muhammad Safadi, aiming to establish a formal framework for cooperation in sustainable agricultural and rural development, enhancing agricultural advisory services, building capacities among farmers, youth, and women, and developing agricultural and food value chains.

The partnership also includes supporting digital transformation in agriculture and improving access to agricultural services in rural areas, thereby promoting equitable service distribution and linking agricultural development to economic and social empowerment of rural communities.

Additionally, he signed a memorandum of understanding with the association "Al-Sahra Khassaba," represented by its president Dr. Hector Hajar, to establish a framework for collaboration and coordination on priority issues, including strengthening national and local food security, supporting sustainable agricultural development, enhancing farmer resilience, and improving livelihoods.

The partnership involves developing plant and animal production, supporting agricultural processing and food reserves, improving food quality and safety, enhancing the capabilities of farmers, cooperatives, and agricultural associations, improving product quality and marketing, encouraging sustainable farming practices, conserving natural resources, and attracting technical and financial support for agricultural and development projects.

In a move with technical and institutional significance, Minister Hani signed a memorandum of understanding with the Syndicate of Licensed Surveyors in Lebanon, represented by President Dr. Sarkis Fadous, to strengthen cooperation in geographic, topographic, and real estate data, serving agricultural planning and economic development.

This partnership is particularly important for providing accurate spatial data, identifying and protecting land ownership from encroachments, monitoring land-related files with competent authorities, and helping the ministry improve planning and decision-making based on reliable information.

He also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Center for Development, Democracy, and Governance (CDDG), represented by its president Engineer Jan Khashan, to develop cooperation in supporting the agricultural sector and empowering farmers, especially small producers, to access resources and services.

The partnership includes implementing joint initiatives and projects in advisory and training fields, improving access to technical and financial support, enhancing communication between farmers and the ministry, streamlining administrative procedures, and contributing to making agricultural services more effective and accessible to beneficiaries.

The fifth partnership was with the association Wolves of Lebanon, represented by its president Samir Solibi, to establish and implement the "National Program for Enhancing and Developing the Competencies of Forest Guards and Rangers."

The program aims to develop a comprehensive and unified training and educational curriculum for forest guards and rangers, combining theoretical knowledge with field training, coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and national and international specialized entities.

It also includes qualifying existing personnel, preparing a new generation of forest guards according to the latest standards and methods, ensuring continuous training, developing the institutional framework of the profession, updating organizational structures, career pathways, and operational frameworks, thereby strengthening the executive and supervisory roles of forest guards and rangers in protecting Lebanon’s forests and natural resources.

Hani

Minister of Agriculture Hani said: "The strength of these partnerships lies not only in signing new memoranda of understanding but in our ability to transform them into implementable programs and tangible results felt by farmers, rural communities, and the state."

He added: "We are working to build a new model for agriculture in Lebanon—more productive and sustainable, more reliant on science, data, and technology, and more connected to markets and farmers’ needs. Therefore, we consider agricultural extension, digital transformation, land protection, value chain development, support for food processing, and human capacity building as interconnected elements in one integrated path."

He stressed that "protecting natural resources, particularly forests and agricultural lands, is not the responsibility of a single ministry or institution but a national responsibility requiring genuine partnership between the state, municipalities, syndicates, associations, the private sector, and local communities."

He said: "We want to shift from managing agricultural issues in isolation to integrated management based on planning, data, coordination, and partnership. For us, agriculture is not just production—it is food security, rural economy, job opportunities, resource protection, community resilience, and an essential part of Lebanon’s future."

Sectoral Meetings to Follow Up on Agricultural Issues

As part of his daily oversight of productive sectors, Minister Hani held a series of meetings at the ministry, beginning with a meeting with the Cattle Milk Producers Syndicate, where they discussed the current state of the dairy sector, challenges faced by producers, and ways to support and develop it.

He also met with horse owners and breeders, discussing issues relevant to the sector and its organizational and developmental needs.

He held a meeting with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ambassador and her team, as part of preparations for launching the agricultural census, which serves as a key tool for establishing a modern and accurate database on the agricultural sector, aiding improved planning, policy formulation, and evidence-based decision-making.

He also discussed with olive oil producers and exporters the sector’s conditions, challenges related to production, processing, marketing, and export, and ways to enhance the quality of Lebanese olive oil and open broader market opportunities abroad.

In the context of his national and cultural activities, Minister Hani attended the book launch ceremony of Wissam Jumblatt’s "Qadar fi Hadha al-Mashreq" at the National Library in Beirut.

He concluded his day with a series of media interviews, conducting one with the platform "Lubnan Al-Kebir" and another with Al Jazeera channel, discussing various agricultural and national issues, and the ministry’s vision for developing the sector and strengthening its role in the national economy and food security.

This "busiest day" reflects a comprehensive approach to the work of the Ministry of Agriculture, integrating policy and strategy setting, partnership building, service development, data improvement, natural resource protection, support for productive sectors, and enhanced communication with farmers, partners, and the media—all within a vision aimed at placing Lebanese agriculture on a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive path."