Rational use of energy in rural areas

The Minister of Agriculture Akram Chehayeb launched yesterday a new orientation plan for the use of renewable energy in agriculture which will aim at rationalizing and conserving energy in the sector. The initiative will seek to achieve two main goals: reduce fuel pollutants and cut down on agricultural production cost. Chehayeb said this new project is an attempt to draw on traditional knowledge and build up on traditional safe and healthy methods proven to be environment and economy friendly. He added that developing similar practices will have a significant impact on a very productive yet high cost sector such as the agriculture sector. As Safir newspaper pointed out that the new plan involves nine partners, namely, the Agriculture Ministry, the Local Action Group in Sardinia-Italy, Beirut Arab University, Alexandria University in Egypt, the Arab-Italian Chamber of Commerce in Sardinia, the Italian Association for Biological Energy, the Chamber of Commerce of Nuoro-Italy, the Vocational Institute for Agriculture and Rural Development – Italy and the Forestry Department in Sardinia. The project director, Majida Msheyk, outlined some of the outcomes achieved so far, including, piloting field experiments in Lebanon on the use of renewable energy in agriculture; the setting up of nine pilot power production units in various part of the country, conducting a relevant study; promotional campaigns with project partners on the use of renewable energy in agriculture; in addition to various other activities. (As Safir, 18 August 2015)