The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) organized a dialogue meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Hassan Al-Lakkis, in the presence of the Governor of Baalbeck-Hermel, Mr. Bachir Khodr, authority figures, mayors, members of municipalities and municipal unions, party representatives, mukhtars, and others.
The meeting started with the Lebanese national anthem, after which the founder of LOST, Dr. Ramy Lakkis welcomed the audience. In his speech, he talked about the reality of agriculture in Lebanon at the level of state policies and decision makers in the agricultural sector, as well as the civil society vision of this sector, which is essential in local development and necessary to link people to their land. Moreover, he made a number of suggestions that could support the agricultural sector and its development, if addressed.
In turn, Minister Hassan Al-Lakkis talked about the ministry’s projects of development for the agricultural sector and announced its commitment to provide many in-kind assistance, including agricultural medicines to combat some diseases and agricultural pests, and veterinary medicines to combat animal diseases. He added, “we are working closely to legalize cannabis cultivation for medical purposes, especially in the Beqaa”.
A speech by the Governor of Baalbeck-Hermel, Mr. Bachir Khodr called for moving towards agriculture that does not need large quantities of water in order to face the crisis of scarcity in the region. He also suggested that displaced Syrians receive a voucher to buy Lebanese agricultural products, to support the Lebanese agricultural sector and vending it in the local market instead of consuming foreign products.
In
conclusion, a dialogue was held between the Minister on one hand, the farmers,
and municipal members and Mukhtars on the other hand, in which the Minister
listened to the farmers’ demands and needs, and exchanged with them his ideas
and appropriate solutions.
