“Subsidized” agro-food imports as of next Monday

Minister of agriculture Abbas Mortada disclosed yesterday the launch of a mechanism this coming Monday for the import of subsidized agro-food products, as part of the basket of government subsidies set at the exchange rate of LBP 3900 against the dollar. Mortada, who was speaking during the signing of two agreements with FAO, said the aim is to support thousands of small farmers technically and in kind. In addition, the initiative will support land reclamation and the construction of water reservoirs and irrigation networks to expand the arable lands and develop an agricultural register for farmers and a database that helps regulate the sector and prop farmers. Noting that the above move by the ministry is the result of coordination with the ministries of economy and industry to the end of reducing prices and boosting productive sectors. (Al Diyar, July 10, 2020)