Agriculture of Lebanon further deteriorates in 2016

In a wrap up of the conditions of agriculture in Lebanon during 2016, L’Orient Le Jour pointed out to a continuous decline in the sector since 2015, attributing the main causes of the slump to the export crisis. Made-in-Lebanon goods on the one hand, have faced competition from foreign goods swamping the GCC states as a result of the relatively expensive maritime program set by the Lebanese government to salvage the shipment of products to Arab markets, L’Orient Le Jour wrote. Another cause is the closure of the Syrian borders with Lebanon, in response to an earlier decision by former Lebanese agriculture minister banning the import of agricultural products from the neighboring country, the newspaper said. This situation has led to the dumping of the local markets with domestic products, and hence to the plummeting of prices. In this context, L’Orient Le Jour recalled various crises which hit the agriculture sector, mainly banana, apple and the fruit harvesting in Arsaal, as well as the difficulties of poultry sector, and the meagre compensations offered to affected farmers. To this effect, concerned agricultural circles stressed the need to come up with a drastic solution, such as channelling funds to serious agricultural organisations rather then paying meager compensation, and as suggested by Antoine Howayek, head of the Lebanese Farmers’ Association. (L’Orient Le Jour, December 30, 2016)