Hani: Agriculture is a Commitment and a Mission, Not Just a Job to Face Challenges

Lebanon Today

Under the patronage and presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Nizar Hani, and member of the Democratic Gathering bloc, MP Wael Abu Faour, the Green Project office was inaugurated in Rashaya.
This step came at the invitation of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Green Project, in cooperation with the federations of Jabal El Sheikh and Qalaat Al Istiklal municipalities and the Rashaya municipality, in the Rashaya municipality building and the headquarters of the federation.

The celebration was attended by a crowd of official, religious, and party figures, including Mufti Sheikh: Wafiq Hijazi, MP: Ghassan Skaff, Governor: Nabil Al-Masri, heads of federations and municipalities in the region, in addition to party and social activists and representatives of the concerned ministries and farmers.

In his speech, the mayor of Rashaya, Rashrash Naji, affirmed that agriculture “is not an ordinary profession but an art of survival,” praising the efforts of Minister Hani in supporting farmers, reclaiming land, and implementing artificial pond and agricultural road projects.

For his part, the head of the Federation of Qalaat Al Istiklal Municipalities, Yasser Khalil, considered that the new agricultural center is “a fundamental step towards supporting farmers and promoting modern and sustainable agriculture,” while the head of the Federation of Jabal El Sheikh Municipalities, Nizam Muhanna, stressed that the Green Project is “an embodiment of a collective will towards a clean environment and sustainable development.”

As for the head of the administrative committee of the Green Project, Raymond Khoury, he stated that the opening of the Rashaya office constitutes “a new milestone in the path of the Green Project, which was established in 1963 and is considered a pillar in rural development and the promotion of food security.”

In a related context, MP Wael Abu Faour praised Minister Hani’s initiative, stressing that the opening of the office constitutes “a beginning for an agricultural renaissance in Rashaya,” pointing to the importance of establishing ponds, water tanks, and modern irrigation systems in various towns of the district to confront the danger of drought. He also called for developing a joint action plan between the ministry, municipalities, and agricultural cooperatives “to determine priorities and increase productivity.”

In his speech, Minister Nizar Hani affirmed that the Ministry of Agriculture is working according to a five-axis plan that includes:
– Strengthening scientific research by redrawing the agricultural map of Lebanon.
– Developing farmers’ capabilities through the National Agricultural Register and extension programs.
– Developing agricultural infrastructure, especially irrigation and packaging networks.
– Linking farmers to markets through contract farming to ensure the disposal of production.
– Achieving integration between agriculture, energy, and water in order to promote sustainable agriculture.

Hani added: “We are working to build a productive and sustainable agricultural sector that ensures a decent life for the Lebanese farmer,” stressing that “agriculture is not a profession but belonging and a message.” He concluded by saying: “Agriculture remains the pulse of the land and life.”

Following the end of the speeches, the curtain was removed from the new office sign, and Minister Hani and MP Abu Faour inspected the artificial pond project in the town of Al-Aqaba – Jebb Farah, which is designated for irrigating agricultural lands in the region.