H.E Minister of Agriculture Abbas Mortada and FAO Representative in Lebanon Maurice Saade, in the presence of Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon H.E. OKUBO Takeshi signed today a new project agreement to support farmers in Lebanon, funded by the Government of Japan.

The project is targeting more than 1 000 vulnerable smallholder women and men farmers most affected by the economic crisis and COVID-19 pandemic across all agricultural areas of Lebanon, by distributing vouchers to purchase agricultural inputs. The vouchers will enable targeted smallholder farmers to purchase agricultural inputs and animal feed for the 2021 agricultural season from a long list of specific quality controlled inputs registered in the Ministry of Agriculture.

In his speech, H.E Minister of agriculture, highlighted the importance of the continuous cooperation with FAO in developing the agricultural sector. His Excellency also thanked the Japanese government for its constant support to Lebanon and its interest in the agricultural sector.

FAO Representative in Lebanon, Dr. Maurice Saade said: “With this assistance to more than a thousand targeted male and female farmers, we hope that this project will contribute to an increase in agricultural activities in addition to increasing farmers' income from farming and maintaining their production as much as possible.”

“I’m very glad that, together with Ministry of Agriculture and FAO, we are launching a new project today to support the smallholder farmers. As Lebanon is facing the multiple crises which threatens the food security of the vulnerable people, Japan spares no efforts to help them as a friend in need”, said H.E. Okubo Takeshi, Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon.

Improved access of vulnerable smallholder farmers to good quality agricultural inputs will contribute to increasing farming activities and improving household food security and nutrition of targeted beneficiaries while increasing income from farming.