Lebanese President Highlights Israeli Aggression's Impact on Southern Farmland

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized on Thursday the urgent need to prioritize areas in southern Lebanon affected by Israeli aggression, calling for support for farmers whose land has been damaged or rendered inaccessible, preventing them from harvesting their crops. During a meeting with Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Aoun pointed to the environmental and agricultural damage caused by Israeli attacks, including the use of phosphorus, and its lasting effects on soil and agricultural output.

President Aoun stressed the importance of integrating technology, innovation, and modern science into the agricultural sector to boost productivity, improve resource efficiency, enhance product quality, and strengthen food security. He also highlighted the necessity of transitioning from identifying needs to developing practical, fundable, and implementable projects to advance the agricultural sector.

Bechdol affirmed the FAO's commitment to supporting Lebanon and collaborating closely with the Ministry of Agriculture. She outlined the organization's ongoing projects in Lebanon aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector, supporting farmers, and enhancing food security. These projects include initiatives focused on irrigation, water management, agricultural inputs, and demining agricultural lands to allow farmers to safely return to their fields and resume their work.

The discussions also covered the war's impact on the agricultural sector, which has affected approximately 22.5% of farmland in southern Lebanon. Damage assessments and surveys conducted in cooperation with the National Council for Scientific Research were reviewed. Emergency response programs and aid for affected farmers were also discussed, along with securing necessary resources to help them restore their activities and production.

The meeting addressed the current state of Lebanon's agricultural sector and its challenges, particularly the war's repercussions on farmland and farmers, food security concerns, climate change, and global supply chains. They also explored avenues for securing additional funding for the sector, leveraging programs and financing from the World Bank and other international partners, and exploring climate financing options, such as through the Green Climate Fund, to help Lebanon cope with climate change impacts and environmental damage.