Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani Sponsors Ceremony at Sidon and South Lebanon Chamber
Honoring the Late Farmer Mostafa Hariri (Abu Nader), Presenting the FAO Report on Agricultural Sector Damages, and Launching a Workshop on "Safe Alternatives to Agricultural Pesticides":
The Government Is Committed to Compensating and Supporting Farmers

Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani affirmed the government’s commitment to compensating farmers for the damages suffered by the agricultural sector due to the Israeli war on Lebanon.

Minister Hani made his remarks during an event held at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in Sidon and South Lebanon. The event, organized by the Ministry and the Chamber, included a presentation of the FAO’s report on the damages caused by the Israeli aggression, a workshop on “Safe Alternatives for the Rational Use of Agricultural Pesticides,” and a tribute to the late farmer Mostafa Hariri (Abu Nader), the first in a series of ministry initiatives to honor pioneering farmers from various regions who embodied a deep love for the land and agriculture, dedicating their lives to it.

The event was attended by former Ministers of Agriculture Ghazi Zeaiter and Hassan Lakis, Chairman of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee MP Ayoub Hmeidy, Representative of the Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Al-Bassat, Director-General of the Ministry of Economy Mohammad Abu Haidar, Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture Louis Lahoud, Representative of MP Osama Saad Talal Arqdan, Representative of MP Abdul Rahman Bizri Kamil Shreiteh, Representative of Bishop Elias Haddad Father Jihad Francis, Abbot Nehmatallah Al-Hashem, President of the Federation of Lebanese Chambers of Commerce Mohammad Choucair, President of the Sidon and South Chamber Mohamad Hassan Saleh and members of the board, Consul Raphael Debbane, FAO representative Amal Salibi, along with a large crowd of official, political, economic, agricultural, unionist, and social figures, as well as the family of the late Mostafa Hariri (Abu Nader): Mrs. Bahia Hariri, Mr. Nader Hariri, Secretary-General of the Future Movement Ahmad Hariri, Ms. Ghina and Ms. Ola Hariri, Mr. Shafiq Hariri and his family, and teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Chamber.

Mohammad Saleh
The workshop opened with the national anthem and was presented by journalist Hanan Al-Naddaf. The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in Sidon and the South, Mr. Mohamad Hassan Saleh, welcomed the attendees, especially Minister Nizar Hani, and said: “Placing the right person in the right place brings reassurance and increases responsibility. We appreciate Your Excellency’s commitment and your participation today is the best proof of your support for the agricultural sector in the South, its national role, and contribution to food security.”

He added: “The Israeli war caused severe losses to this sector, but the people’s attachment to their land remains a driving force for resistance and perseverance. We look forward to cooperating with you to strengthen the resilience of southerners, and to increase efforts with donor organizations to compensate farmers and livestock, poultry, and bee keepers.”

He also paid tribute to the late Haj Mostafa Hariri, saying he was a hard-working and self-made farmer, known for his generosity and passion for agriculture.

FAO Representative
Amal Salibi from FAO presented the organization’s damage and loss assessment report covering the period from October 2023 to November 2024. The study, conducted with the National Council for Scientific Research and based on aerial imaging and remote sensing, focused on four most affected provinces and 12 districts.

Key figures from the report:

Total agricultural sector damage and losses exceeded $700 million, including:

Direct damages: $118 million (13% of overall damage)

Losses: $580 million

Geographic distribution:

Over 40% of damages in Nabatieh Province

Over 40% in South Lebanon Province

Sector-specific impact:

Olive sector: 800 hectares damaged, over $240 million

Citrus farming: 600 hectares, over $100 million

Banana plantations: 460 hectares, over $30 million

Vegetables and potatoes also affected.

Infrastructure damages:

Irrigation systems: $3 million

Solar panels: $1 million

Greenhouses: $1 million

Animal farming losses:

Over 60,000 heads of livestock: $40 million

2.2 million poultry: over $10 million

50,000 beehives: over $10 million

Livestock infrastructure: over $12 million

Forestry and aquaculture:

Forests (5,000 hectares): $20 million

Pine trees (90 hectares): $3 million

Fish farming: over $1.2 million

Rebuilding cost estimates:

Urgent assistance: $32 million

Tree replacement/farm recovery: $135 million

Restoring production chains and resource management: $80 million

Sector reconstruction: $18 million

Louis Lahoud
Director-General Louis Lahoud stated that the gathering included three key events: the damage report, launching new workshops with the Chamber of Commerce across regions (starting with this workshop in the South), and honoring the late Mostafa Hariri. He emphasized that life cannot return to affected regions without compensating for agricultural damages.

He announced a new marketing plan by the Ministry to support both domestic and international markets and stressed coordination with the Ministry of Economy to revise trade agreements.

Dr. Youssef Abou Jaoude
The workshop featured a presentation by expert Dr. Youssef Abou Jaoude, who addressed the threat of agricultural pests and emphasized the environmental and health risks of improper pesticide use. He called for integrated pest management strategies and government-funded agricultural research to develop safe alternatives.

Mohammad Choucair
President of the Federation of Chambers, Mohammad Choucair, reiterated the private sector's commitment to supporting agriculture and praised the memory of the late Mostafa Hariri, calling his honor a recognition of all Lebanese private sector efforts.

Ahmad Hariri
After a documentary on the late Abu Nader, Ahmad Hariri gave a heartfelt speech on behalf of the Hariri family, describing his father as an exceptional man who lived with dignity and patience. He thanked Minister Hani and the Ministry for honoring him, and affirmed the family's ongoing support for agriculture.

Ahmad described how his father transformed his land by focusing solely on avocado farming, turning it into a successful model in just five years. He taught his children the values of work, integrity, and loyalty to the legacy of martyr Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and to the land of Sidon and the South.