Latest news with #MinistryOfAgriculture
Times of Oman
13 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Over 393,000 livestock imported to Oman
Muscat: The number of livestock imported from the beginning of April until June this year exceeded 393,000 heads, including 25,047 cattle and 368,452 sheep and goats. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources affirmed that it is working to meet the local market's demand for live animals and red meat in coordination with livestock import companies, providing all necessary facilities by streamlining import procedures. The ministry noted that the number of approved permits reached 155 from the beginning of April until June this year. The ministry stated that the veterinary team at the quarantine facility is working continuously and diligently to inspect and apply the necessary health measures on all imported live animal shipments to prevent the entry of infectious, epidemic, or zoonotic diseases into the Sultanate of Oman.
LBCI
a day ago
- General
- LBCI
Amid security risks, south Lebanon's farmers face uncertainty as agriculture ministry pushes to revive farming
Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Lebanese farmers in the Mazraat Sardah and Marjayoun plain areas live at the mercy of Israeli forces stationed on El Hamames Hill in Lebanon. Half of the Marjayoun plain—about 17 million square meters—is off-limits due to the ongoing threat of Israeli military patrols, the latest of which residents documented on Friday. This marks the third consecutive season that southern farmers have faced uncertainty and fear. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture launched an initiative to revive the sector by securing safety guarantees for farmers who wish to return to their land. Under the plan, interested farmers must file a request with their local municipality, including their name, phone number, land registration area, and type of agricultural activity. These requests will be forwarded to the ministry, which will coordinate with the Lebanese army and UNIFIL to obtain safety assurances for the farmers. The ministry aims to secure ongoing access, requiring farmers to specify the number of planned visits based on the crop type and growing season. Agricultural losses in front-line villages—from Kfarchouba to Naqoura—have exceeded 80% due to wildfires and bulldozing operations. The Agriculture Ministry attempted to offset some of these losses by planting olive trees with support from international organizations. Beyond crop damage, livestock losses have been devastating—even in second-line villages. Many farms have been destroyed, and numerous herders were forced to sell their animals at a loss to survive. While this initiative is a first step toward recovery, results are far from guaranteed as long as Israel continues to dictate the fate of Lebanon's southern border communities through force, intimidation, and violence.
LBCI
3 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
Can Lebanon turn olives into economic gold? Sector needs urgent reform
Report by Theresia Rahme, English Adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Out of 169,000 farmers in Lebanon, 110,000 grow olives. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the sector supports over 500 olive presses and 160 olive oil facilities. These numbers could increase—and benefit Lebanon more—if producers focus on improving quality. That is precisely what the Agriculture Ministry is working on through training workshops aimed at upgrading farmers' skills and boosting production standards, helping Lebanese olive oil compete globally. The main focus is the U.S. market, Lebanon's top olive oil importer, with exports valued at $7.3 million, followed by Canada and Qatar. That figure could rise further if Lebanon fully complies with U.S. quality standards. But can Lebanon scale up exports? The sector faces challenges. Production varies year to year; about 50% of olive trees are aging, farms are small, and agricultural methods remain largely traditional. The Agriculture Ministry has a plan to strengthen the sector, but it needs to act quickly to implement it, improve quality, increase output, and meet the expectations of international buyers.
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
China set to resume Japanese seafood imports halted due to Fukushima worries
TOKYO: China has agreed on procedures to resume imports of Japanese seafood products, Japan's government said on Friday (May 30), marking a step towards ending a nearly two-year trade ban. Officials from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and China's Customs reached the agreement during a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, the ministry said, adding that China-bound seafood exports were expected to resume after China completes "necessary procedures". China's General Administration of Customs said that the two countries made "substantial progress" following another round of talks on the trade of Japanese aquatic products. The agreement comes as both governments work to ease tensions stemming from the 2023 release of treated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. It "marks one important milestone", Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said during a regular press conference. "We will continue calling for the resumption of Japan's exports of its beef to China and the lifting of import restrictions on agricultural and marine products from ten prefectures," including Fukushima and Tokyo, Hayashi added. Those prefectures were not included in the agreement. Under the agreed measures, Japan will register fishery processing facilities with Chinese authorities, and exports will include inspection certificates confirming the absence of radioactive substances, the farm ministry said. The Nikkei newspaper, which reported the news earlier, said that China is expected to formally announce the resumption of seafood imports from Japanese prefectures outside the Fukushima region in the near future. China imposed the ban on Japanese seafood imports shortly after Tokyo began releasing the treated Fukushima wastewater, prompting a diplomatic and economic backlash.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
China, Japan reach deal to restart seafood trade after Fukushima-linked suspension
TOKYO, May 30 — China has agreed on procedures to resume imports of Japanese seafood products, Japan's government said on Friday, marking a step towards ending a nearly two-year trade ban. Officials from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and China's Customs reached the agreement during a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, the ministry said, adding that China-bound seafood exports were expected to resume after China completes 'necessary procedures'. China's General Administration of Customs said that the two countries made 'substantial progress' following another round of talks on the trade of Japanese aquatic products. The agreement comes as both governments work to ease tensions stemming from the 2023 release of treated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. It 'marks one important milestone', Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said during a regular press conference. 'We will continue calling for the resumption of Japan's exports of its beef to China and the lifting of import restrictions on agricultural and marine products from ten prefectures,' including Fukushima and Tokyo, Hayashi added. Those prefectures were not included in the agreement. Under the agreed measures, Japan will register fishery processing facilities with Chinese authorities, and exports will include inspection certificates confirming the absence of radioactive substances, the farm ministry said. The Nikkei newspaper, which reported the news earlier, said that China is expected to formally announce the resumption of seafood imports from Japanese prefectures outside the Fukushima region in the near future. China imposed the ban on Japanese seafood imports shortly after Tokyo began releasing the treated Fukushima wastewater, prompting a diplomatic and economic backlash. — Reuters
