Agriculture exports in Lebanon at stake
The agricultural sector has been impacted severely by the economic crisis, devaluation, and restrictions imposed by some Gulf countries on local agricultural imports including Qatar, which has decided recently to take new measures that ban the imports of some Lebanese vegetables due to the high rate of contamination in Lebanese crops.
The head of the Bekaa Farmers Association Ibrahim Tarchichi, told Sawt Beirut International (SBI) that “this decision is a purely practical decision and has nothing to do with political repercussions, and new control committee will be established to tackle this issue.”
“Food security in Lebanon remains a challenge due to water shortages excessive use of water for irrigation, contaminated water, as well as the residues found in the samples tested in Qatar,” said Tarchichi, emphasizing that “firm plans and measures must be taken to address the problem of water pollution.”
Tarchichi added that “quick solutions must be found to revive the sector because the Qatari decision may be followed by similar decisions from other importing countries.”
“The irrigation issue is being controlled firmly in the Bekaa region,” said Tarchichi, adding that solutions must be taken rapidly because this situation could affect the agricultural exports severely amid these tough conditions.
He called on the Ministry of Agriculture to “initiate the necessary investigations regarding the shipment exported to Qatar and to take the appropriate measures quickly to protect the Lebanese production, its reputation, and ensure its flow to the Arab countries.”