The topic of analyzing and addressing the impact of war and the challenges facing the Lebanese Agricultural sector in Southern Lebanon took center stage at the meeting that was held at AUB's Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences (FAFS) (November 13, 2024). The event brought together FAFS Dean, Dr. Ammar Olabi; FAFS' Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) Director Dr. Shady Hamadeh; and Mr. Muhammad Husseini, Head of Southern Lebanon Farmers' Association, alongside professors from FAFS and members of the ESDU team.
The discussion shed light on the alarming degradation of agricultural lands in Southern Lebanon, a region severely impacted by the recent war and instability since October of last year. Farmers in the South are not only struggling to sustain their livelihoods but are also facing the constant threat of aggression, which impedes their ability to cultivate their land and access vital resources.
During the war, Mr. Husseini reported that South Lebanon's olive trees, which account for 27% of the country's total olive groves, saw a dramatic decline in harvesting, with only 8% being collected this year. Additionally, an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 fruit and wild trees, including olive trees, have been destroyed due to the indiscriminate shelling of white phosphorus on agricultural land and forests, compounded by restricted access to these areas. This limited access has also prevented the Southern Lebanon Farmers' Association from conducting tests on the soil affected by white phosphorus. Moreover, 2% of the banana harvest was lost due to the escalations. Unfortunately, these numbers are not final and maybe even higher than previously estimated.
Mr. Husseini also noted that the agriculture sector in South Lebanon has been suffering since the onset of COVID-19, primarily due to the lack of government support. However, he remains optimistic about the sector's potential for recovery, believing it can be revitalized through initiatives and the involvement of private agricultural companies. He shared that the Association has already started gathering data for future agricultural support projects in the region. To assist with this effort, Dr. Hadi Jaafar, Chairman of FAFS' Department of Agriculture, expressed his willingness to support the data collection process.
The discussion concluded on a hopeful note, with Dr. Hamadeh assuring a plan is in place to develop a long-term strategy for equipping Southern Lebanon's agriculture sector with the necessary tools and techniques for recovery and growth. Wrapping up the meeting, ESDU's Executive Officer, Mrs. Christelle Bou Harb, emphasized the importance of building a partnership between ESDU and the Southern Lebanon Farmers' Association to support the revitalization and redevelopment of the region's agricultural sector during post-war period.