Lebanese-French collaboration to implement projects in the agriculture sector

A delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture including a representative of Minister Chehayeb, and the Ministry DG, Louis Lahhoud, visited the Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes (CIHEAM) in Montpellier to discuss collaboration between the two parties.  The visit which lasted for two days came within the framework of preparations for the launching of the second phase of the ENPARD project which aims at building capacities and implementing projects in the agricultural sector. During the visit the Lebanese delegation presented its vision of the various components that should be included in the project’s second phase.  These recommendations were much appreciated by CIHEAM and included a) support to the olive oil sector with new technology to adhere more to standards and increase exports, b) train beekeepers and set up a laboratory to test honey, c) supporting apple growers through introducing new species and setting up an apple refrigerator, and d) organizing training workshops to forest rangers and bringing in equipments to protect forest especially within natural reserves. Finally, the Delegation also discussed with CIHEAM the possibility of increasing the number of scholarships to agriculture students in Lebanese universities in addition to strengthening the role of agricultural cooperatives and providing them with various forms of support.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 4 July 2014