Zina severely hits agriculture amidst skepticism over compensations

Damages are now apparent following the Zina storm which hit most sectors especially the agricultural sector.  According to the member of the Coalition of Southern Farmers, Hassan Dhini, the storm was accompanied by low temperatures which damaged crops in Tyre especially at the level of greenhouses, banana, citrus and other orchards in addition to destroying old trees.  Dhini called on the Minister of Agriculture and the Higher Council of Relief to undertake an assessment of damages as well as consider support to farmers especially given the persistent agricultural crisis namely at the level of export and high production costs. Farmers from Akkar also called on the government and the Higher Council to compensate their damages as a result of Zina and threatening to take action otherwise.  Furthermore, a similar call was expressed by Byblos’ municipal head, Ziad 7awwat  

The Minister of Agriculture, Akram Shehayeb noted for his part that all the government is responsible for compensating damages and not just his Ministry.  He added that contacts will be initiated shortly with the Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri and prime Minister Salam, so that this matter is given due priority.  The president of the Association of Farmers, Ahmad 7owayek, noted for his part that he believes that the government will not compensate farmers for several reasons mostly absence of resources.  7owayek added that the Association of Farmers had worked between 2003 and 2005 on a law petition for the creation of a Disaster Recovery Fund for farmers and which would operate like an insurance company.  This proposal, however, never moved forward because political forces objected to the creation of agricultural institution and no political force adopted this idea as it was not deemed to be a priority. Al Nahar newspaper quoting sources in the Ministry of Agriculture indicated that it will be difficult now to map damages before the effects of have fully subsided.  Once done, the Cabinet, according to procedures, will need to commission the Ministry of Agriculture to map the damages, in collaboration with the Lebanese Army, and then suggest the appropriate compensations to the Higher Council for Relief.   

(Source: Annahar, Al-Diyar & As-Safir 19,20 January 2015)