The Minister of Agriculture stress the importance of developing agricultural production and introducing new alternative products

The Minister of Agriculture, Akram Shehayeb, convened a meeting yesterday attended by the Presidents of the Chambers of Trade, Industry and Agriculture from the different Lebanese Mohafazat in addition to the Director General of the Minister of Agriculture, Louis Lahhoud.  The meeting discussed the need to improve agricultural production through introducing new alternative products to replace traditional and old ones, in a move aimed to assist farmers in accessing new markets while preserving current vital markets for Lebanese agriculture.
Shehayeb also noted that efforts will continue to open new foreign markets for Lebanese agricultural products notably olive oil, apples, honey, and wine which continues to expand into new markets abroad.  He also noted that Lebanon will participate this year in the Berlin wine exhibition after participating last year in the one held in Paris. Shehayeb insisted on the importance of supporting farmers and helping them during the current difficult circumstances and he reiterated his commitment to developing this economic sector so as to help farmers hold on to their land and improve their livelihoods.
Furthermore, Minister Shehayeb also met with the heads of the cooperatives of Hasbaya and Marjeyoun with whom he discussed issues related to agricultural cooperatives and ways to support them especially in the marketing of olive oil.
Source: Al-Safir 9 April 2014