Latest news with #MinistryofAgriculture
LBCI
6 hours ago
- Business
- LBCI
Lebanon's farmers struggle as export markets dry up — and hope is fading
Report by Bassam Abou Zeid, English adaptation by Laetithia Harb This story reflects the daily reality of many in Lebanon, as the agricultural sector struggles with dwindling export markets and mounting financial pressure. With fewer countries purchasing Lebanese produce, farmers are earning less, exacerbating their already challenging living and social conditions. Officials have made attempts to resolve the crisis, but the challenge appears far bigger than simply finding new buyers for potatoes, apples, or other crops. In April 2021, Saudi Arabia banned the import of Lebanese agricultural products after narcotics were discovered hidden in produce shipments. The move cut off a key export destination that had previously brought tens of millions of dollars to Lebanon's farming sector each year. Sources at the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that the kingdom has also barred Lebanese agricultural goods from transiting through its territory to other Gulf countries. As a result, exporters had to switch to sea freight, which pushed shipping costs from $1,500 to $3,500 per container. Many shipments spoiled due to delays at sea. Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani has tried to address the transit issue with Saudi officials but has so far been unsuccessful. Syria, another critical market for Lebanese produce—especially bananas and citrus—has imposed increasingly heavy taxes and restrictions on incoming goods, further limiting exports or blocking them entirely. Lebanese farmers say they feel abandoned, caught in the middle of a political crisis they had no part in creating. And if the current conditions persist, many fear they may lose access to traditional markets permanently—markets now being filled by agricultural products from countries like Turkey and Israel.
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
Jordan lifts poultry import ban on Brazil after avian flu threat contained
AMMAN — The Ministry of Agriculture had lifted previously imposed restrictions on poultry meat imports from Brazil following the containment of the avian influenza threat, Assistant Secretary-General for Livestock Affairs at the ministry Musbah Tarawneh said on Wednesday. Speaking to Al Mamlaka TV, Tarawneh said that Jordan had introduced restrictions on Brazilian chicken imports in June after a case of avian influenza was detected. He noted that Jordan annually imports an average of 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes of frozen chicken from Brazil, with most of these quantities going to the local restaurant sector. Tarawneh stressed that the ministry's technical teams are 'closely' monitoring the health situation in countries exporting animal products, reiterating that the ministry will not hesitate to take any necessary measures to protect public health and the agricultural sector. In mid-June, the Ministry of Agriculture announced a suspension of imports of live poultry and non-heat-treated poultry products from Brazil, following reports of multiple cases of avian influenza there. At the time, the ministry said that the suspension would remain in effect until the epidemiological situation in Brazil improved and reliable reports from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) confirmed that the outbreak was under control and that Brazilian veterinary authorities were complying with required preventive and monitoring procedures. Brazil exported $10 billion worth of chicken meat last year, accounting for some 35 per cent of the global trade in the sector. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
16 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Ibra's old fish market to be revamped with $129,875 investment
Ibra – Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has announced the launch of a fish market project in Ibra, North Sharqiyah. The initiative aims to boost seafood trade, expand market infrastructure, and improve marketing and sales outlets for fish across the governorate. Dr Anwar al Saadi, Director of Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in Ibra, said the Ibra market project falls within efforts to rebuild and modernise the existing market, located in the commercial district of Al Saffala. One of the oldest fish markets in the governorate, it serves as a key trading point, receiving an estimated 1,250 tonnes of fish annually. The market will cover a total area of 2,081sqm. Fully funded by the ministry at a cost of RO50,000, the project is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2026. Facilities will include 12 fish display platforms, an ice-making unit, a waiting area, pump room and other public utilities, all within a climate-controlled environment. 'The ministry, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of North Sharqiyah and other stakeholders, will establish a closed, air-conditioned market that meets public health standards, supports economic activity, and serves the needs of traders and consumers,' Saadi said. The Directorate General in North Sharqiyah currently oversees eight fish markets across the governorate, which collectively support around 100 fish sellers and more than 45 fish cutters from the local community. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
16 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: $389,626 programme to raise quality, output of Jabal Akhdar roses
Jabal Akhdar – In a move aimed at consolidating the rose farming sector and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices in the sultanate, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources launched a value-added programme for rose cultivation in Jabal Akhdar on Tuesday. Funded by Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, the programme called Enhancing the Added Value of the Omani Rose Crop is designed to empower rose farmers, improve product quality and boost the sector's contribution to the national economy. The programme will run over two years at a cost of RO150,000, directly benefitting more than 350 rose farmers in the wilayat, which is home to over 6,300 rose shrubs spread across ten acres. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
RO150,000 programme to enhance Jabal Akhdar rose production
Jabal Akhdar – In a move aimed at consolidating the rose farming sector and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices in the sultanate, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources launched a value-added programme for rose cultivation in Jabal Akhdar on Tuesday. Funded by Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, the programme called Enhancing the Added Value of the Omani Rose Crop is designed to empower rose farmers, improve product quality and boost the sector's contribution to the national economy. The programme will run over two years at a cost of RO150,000, directly benefitting more than 350 rose farmers in the wilayat, which is home to over 6,300 rose shrubs spread across ten acres. According to the ministry, the programme seeks to improve agricultural operations through mechanisation and expand cultivated area. It also aims to build marketing and manufacturing chains and train farmers in developing value-added products derived from rose water. The ministry confirmed that rose products represent a renewable source of livelihood for many farmers in Jabal Akhdar, and that the new programme is part of broader efforts to ensure sustainability in this traditional sector. As part of the programme, supplies and support materials were distributed among farmers, while technical training and support for small and medium enterprises involved in extraction, distillation and processing were announced.
