The Department of Agricultural and Scientific Research inaugurates its new agricultural lab in Tell Amara in the Bekaa

The Department of Agricultural and Scientific Research inaugurated last week its new agricultural labs to protect vegetation as well as to produce “natural enemies” in Tell Amara in the Bekaa under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture, Akram Chehayeb, and with the participation of 400 farmers who received from the department some 100000 insects that are considered “natural enemies”.  The Chair of the department, DG Michel Iphram, insisted in his keynote address on the role of his Department is providing agricultural extension.  He added that the department has laboratories to prevent diseases which use European standards to test all edible products.
The Minister of Agriculture, Akram Chehayeb highlighted the important role played by the department in supporting the agricultural sector as well as in using knowledge to support farmers and improve their production.  He noted that the natural enemies’ laboratory is amongst the most modern labs available to combat agricultural pests and to use “natural enemies” to prevent diseases that attack fruit bearing trees.  This is likely to reduce the usage of chemical pesticides thus improving the quality of products and their competitiveness.  He hoped that the services of both vegetation protection as well as natural enemies’ laboratories will extend to include the farmers in all of Lebanon.  Chehayeb also addressed the farmers and noted that the Ministry will be by their side to help them in their problems.  He also noted that Ministers and MPs from the Beqaa are working hard to secure an endorsement of the financial compensation for farmers who have suffered as a result of latest cold and frost.  He added that the Ministry has compiled a comprehensive report which was submitted to the cabinet.  The report includes statistics about the magnitude of this catastrophe.  He noted that this matter is contingent to the availability of financial resources and will be decided by the cabinet.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar, Al-Safir 9 June 2014