Citrus farmers in Akkar demand compensation for climate hazards

The storm which hit Lebanon last week has caused extensive damage in the citrus plantations in the North in particular, grieved Akkar farmers. Citrus growers said the fruits of a large number of clementine trees have been destroyed, asking the ministry of agriculture and the Higher Relief Council to send inspection teams to survey the damages and compensate accordingly. In this respect, the head of the Union of Municipalities of Akkar Plain, mayor of Tal Maayan, Mohamad Khaled Masri, appealed in a statement on Thursday to the HRC and the ministry to immediately assess damages. He also called on the heads of the three branches of government to support farmers, noting that this variety of clementine makes the bulk of the citrus cultivation in the area. The following day, farmers and traders in Akkar blocked for some time the main international highway facing the vegetable and fruit market in Abdeh area, demanding compensation for the harvest losses. During the protest, the mayor of Tal Hayat, Khaled Khaled, called on concerned officials to seriously work to this effect, especially that the losses are beyond the ability of farmers to recompense. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, December 14, 15, 2018)

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