Dr Robert Malek, CABI’s Pesticide Risk Reduction Expert, has engaged in high-level talks with senior officials from the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture to help the country adopt greater sustainable agricultural practices for enhanced food safety and security.
Lebanon’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr Nizar Hani, received Dr Malek as part of a meeting which included Dr Mohamad Abou Zeid, Director of Plant Resources at the Ministry of Agriculture and Mr Elvis Gerges, Technical Manager at Biomass – a leading operator in the country’s organic farming sector providing fruits and vegetables.
Agriculture plays a key role for Lebanon’s food security with the sector making up around 9 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. In specific rural regions like Akkar, Dinniyeh, Northern Bekaa, and the South, agriculture-related activities can constitute up to 80% of local GDP, underscoring its regional importance.
In 2022, approximately 4% of total employment was in agriculture. However, in rural areas, 20–25% of the active population engages in agriculture full- or part-time, including seasonal and family labour. The sector relies heavily on informal labour, including Syrian workers, and about 9% of farm operators are women, primarily in subsistence farming.
Lebanon’s key crops driven by its diverse climate and fertile regions like the Beqaa Valley and coastal plains, include olives, citrus fruits, grapes, apples, potatoes and other vegetables and cereals.
Lebanon’s agricultural industry faces many challenges
Lebanon’s agricultural industry faces many challenges, including the effects of regional conflicts and instability that disrupt trade routes and damage agricultural infrastructure, as well as issues with water shortage, inadequate infrastructure, supply chain barriers, and limited access to finance.
Dr Malek took the opportunity to introduce CABI’s work in supporting sustainable agriculture globally and present its technical expertise in pest and disease management with a particular emphasis on pesticide risk reduction.
He highlighted the benefits of biopesticides as safer alternatives to chemical pesticides and discussed the challenges and opportunities related to pesticide regulation and farmer access to low-risk crop protection solutions.
As part of his presentation, Dr Malek also introduced the CABI BioProtection Portal and the CABI Digital Library – highlighting their relevance to national stakeholders and their potential to support decision-making, extension services, and farmer outreach.
Relevance of the CABI BioProtection Portal
Dr Robert Malek with Dr Nizar Hani.
Dr Malek said, “Dr Hani recognized the relevance of the CABI BioProtection Portal as the largest, free global resource for biological pest management, and approved the use of its list of nationally registered pesticides to support Lebanon inclusion on the platform.
“The portal offers a comprehensive, searchable directory of nationally registered biocontrol and biopesticide crop protection products, along with detailed guidance to help agricultural advisors and growers source and effectively incorporate these sustainable natural products into integrated pest management programmes.”
The Minister also expressed his interest in accessing CABI’s publishing material from the CABI Digital Library which is a comprehensive resource for agricultural knowledge and learning, with potential to support extension services, universities, and technical departments.
Dr Hani thanked CABI for its offer of support stating that “the country needs to engage and partner with organizations like CABI to help advance farmer livelihoods, consumer and environmental safety, by resolving issues related to pest management.” The Minister also acknowledged the need to strengthen knowledge-sharing mechanisms that help agri-input dealers and extension services provide farmers with the best advice to make informed decisions on pest and disease management.
It is hoped the initial discussions will lead to strategic collaboration on national programmes and project development to support food security, food safety, and sustainable agricultural development that includes the use of biopesticides in integrated pest management.
Happy Farmer Scheme which supports sustainable farming practices
During another meeting with Biomass officials, Dr Malek learnt from Biomass CEO, Mr Mario Massoud, how the company is currently working with 50 organic farmers and a large number of other farmers as part of its Happy Farmer Scheme which supports sustainable farming practices.
It is anticipated that CABI and Biomass can explore opportunities to work together to promote biopesticide uptake in the country, develop test stations and demonstration plots in Lebanon to encourage peer-to-peer learning and farmer training on integrated pest management and organic best practices.
By preserving endemic fruit and vegetable varieties, it is hoped that Lebanon can develop its potential to export to lucrative markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council and European Union where the country already has a free trade agreement.
Mr Massoud said, “We are excited to explore opportunities and partner with CABI to develop and implement projects in Lebanon that contribute to food security and food safety.”
Additional information
Main image: Dr Robert Malek and Dr Nizar Hani (both centre) at the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture for the talks to collaborate on ways to enhance the country’s sustainable agriculture.
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