Arsal farmers demand compensation for lost fruits seasons

Farmers and people of Arsal in the Beqaa staged a sit-in yesterday in Riad el Solh square, Beirut in protest for the delayed compensation for the lost fruits seasons (cherries, apples and apricots) similar to the apple and wheat farmers. In his appeal to the Speaker of the House and to the Prime Minister, Arsal mayor, Bassil Hojeiri, disclosed the purpose of the rally which centers around two main demands: first, payment of compensations for three years of failed harvest seasons in the Arsal upper mountains that were lost due to the hazardous security situation in the area, and secondly, the securing of all the roads leading to the orchards which represent the basic livelihoods of the inhabitants. For her part, the deputy mayor of the town, Rima Krunbi, blamed the PM and the Agriculture Minister for neglecting this issue. Furthermore, the delegation of farmers and residents of Arsal also met yesterday with Minister Akram Shehayeb to raise their grievances and to inform him of the dire general conditions prevailing in their area. Shehayeb expressed support to the farmers’ just demands and promised to raise the matter in Cabinet. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, October 11, 2016)