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The caretaker minister of agriculture, Abbas Mortada, deplored the weak resources of his ministry, blaming this on what he called a systematic and persistent neglect of agriculture, stressing the need to develop legislations that sustain the sector. On his part, Hizbullah MP, Hussein Jishi, during his tour of the ‘Khayrat Jabal Amel’ farmer’s market in the town of Abbasiyeh, Tyre, called on concerned parties to act responsibly, in terms of creating jobs and protecting farmers. Recalling, that the said market is organized every Saturday all year round in collaboration with the Regional Cooperative Union in South Lebanon and the Good Tree Association. The said event showcases all kinds of fruits, veggies, grains and food items, in addition to the traditional mooneh, honey, cheeses, dairy products and handcrafts. In a related vein, Jihad Al Binaa Development Association, jointly with the Municipal Work Directorate-Hizbullah and Agricultural Development Committee in South Lebanon, launched last week the third phase of ‘Al Hakura’ project for family agricultural production. The initiative, to note, aims to boost the steadfastness of farmers through supplying a group of owners of small vegetation gardens a share of the winter agricultural seeds of legumes and vegetables, covering Saida and the environs, Azza, Kanarit, Zeta, Ankoun and Houmin al Tahta. On the other hand, the Youth Pastoral Committee in the Maronite Diocese of Tripoli, North Lebanon, and Caritas Lebanon Youth, organized for the third consecutive week the agricultural project activities in support of the youth of Akkar within the parish lands in the outskirts of Qobiyyat. More than 30 jobs in agriculture were created for the young people in the area, while the produce from the land is sold at reasonable prices to help vulnerable households. (Al Diyar, October 18, 19, 2020)
 

During a meeting held in Mais el Jabal yesterday, Marjeyoun tobacco growers called on Speaker Nabih Berri to help increase the prices of tombac and tobacco supplies in the wake of the depreciation of the national currency and the corresponding decline in farmers’ purchasing power. The head of the Cooperative Association of Agricultural and Livestock Development in Mais el Jabal, Abbas Zahreddine, grieved the farmers’ anguish in the past years due to the hike in production costs in the absence of a unified price benchmark in southern towns. He demanded a quick release of farmers’ money in cash, notwithstanding the current condition of banks, in order to avoid a crisis similar to last year’s. On the other hand, the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training, LOST, inaugurated on Saturday the annual apple fair in the Community Farm in the Baalbek Plains. This is the third farmers' market held with the aim to prop local production, provide wider opportunities and build direct producer-consumer relationships. The two-day event which embraced 51 households included a special booth for traditional home-made mouneh and honey, in addition to fun activities for kids and folkloric performances.  (Al Diyar, October 11, 12, 2020)
 

In cooperation with the China Institute for International and Strategic Studies (CIISS), the Roads Association, an affiliate of the General Foundation NGO, launched last Friday a solar energy system project benefiting 260 houses in the Kesrwan village of Bka3touta. On the occasion, General Chamel Rukuz thanked the Chinese institute for the generous donation, underlining the importance of generating energy in these difficult times. Mark Moretti, Vice Chairperson of Cogedis which implemented the project, said it took nearly 7 months to equip each of the town’s houses with three solar panels and two storage batteries generating 15 amps, equivalent to 4 hours of electricity per day. ” Because of the project, Moretti explained, the residents of Bka3touta will be able to benefit from about 415,000 kilowatts and save about USD 78,000 every year, that is around USD 300 per household. Chinese built solar systems, Al Diyar wrote, are among the most cutting-edge in the world, as China is leading amongst renewable energy producing countries. It reportedly manufactures 72% of the world’s solar panels. (Al Diyar, September 28, 2020)
 

The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) concluded last Friday the “Khayrat Baalbek-Hermel Exhibition for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Processing” at the “Community Farm” located in the Baalbaq Plains. Around 35 farmers and producers showcased their products as part of “Supporting Farmers and Improving the Agricultural Environment” project implemented by LOST in partnership with the German-based WHH organization. The 3-day activity aims to boost local agricultural production and promote food industries, such as olive oil, molasses, pickles, jams, Khishk and rose water, in addition to dairy and other traditional mooneh products. It also contributes to the creation of new markets for agricultural production and building the capacities and training of farmers on agrarian marketing, said LOST’s Tarek Shebli, who stressed that the organization is keen to ensure that the displayed products boast high food safety and health standards and are free of chemicals. The exhibition, he added, helps build a direct consumer-producer relationship and sell the goods on display. (Al Diyar, September 27, 2020)