High-Level Technical Workshop tackles the challenges and opportunities for Lebanon’s Agriculture

Agriculture plays a vital role in the Lebanese economy. However, the agricultural sector is facing significant challenges. To tackle these challenges and address the possible opportunities for Lebanon’s agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture of Lebanon, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank organized, under the patronage of the President of the Council of Ministers, a High-level technical workshop titled “Transforming Lebanon’s Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities” on October 4, 2019 at the Grand Serail.

Opening speeches of H.E. Dr. Hassan Lakiss, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Maurice Saade, FAO Representative in Lebanon, Mr. Saroj Kumar Jha, Regional Director of the World Bank and Ms. Wafaa Dikah Hamze, Former Minister & Chairperson of the organizing committee of workshop, stressed on the need to support the agriculture sector in Lebanon and make it a priority.

The workshop aimed at initiating the dialogue at policy-making level to review and develop the agricultural policies and pave the way forward for a clear vision of the Lebanese agriculture and to its better placement in the new government economic vision. It focused on discussing pertinent global best practices, to inform future investments and actions, to promote inclusive agriculture transformation, enhance innovation in agriculture and foster higher competitiveness of Lebanese agricultural products.

The Ministry of Agriculture in Lebanon has recently requested the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank to initiate a wide-ranging review for the development of the agriculture sector in Lebanon. This review will assist the Ministry in the formulation of a new Agriculture Strategy (2021-2025), which is expected to be completed by mid-2020 and will identify priority areas for action.

The workshop was concluded by a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Mouin Hamze, Secretary General of the National Council for Scientific Research. In the presence of H.E Mr. Saad Hariri, H.E. Dr. Hassan Lakiss, Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Mr. Mansour Bteich, Minister of Economy and Trade, H.E. Mr. Ali Hassan Khalil, Minister of Finance and Dr. Nadim Munla, Prime Minister’s Adviser discussed the role of agriculture in the future economic vision of Lebanon.

“Agriculture is an essential sector, and it is important that we maintain that vitality,” said the Prime Minister during the workshop’s concluding session.