(Nabatieh, South Lebanon –10 June 2025): As part of its efforts to strengthen national agriculture and expand the reach of support programs, the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture launched today an advanced initiative implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), and with financial support from the European Union, featuring mobile units to register farmers and provide cash assistance in the form of vouchers to small-scale farmers in some of the areas most affected by crises in South Lebanon.
This initiative underscores the pivotal role played by the Ministry of Agriculture in leading agricultural policies and developing administrative and technical infrastructure, thereby strengthening the resilience of farming communities and reflecting the state’s commitment to supporting the agricultural sector as a developmental and economic priority.
The initiative was launched in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Nizar Hani, alongside; Sandra De Waele, EU Ambassador to Lebanon; Veronica Quattrola, FAO Representative in Lebanon (a.i.); and Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Representative and Country Director in Lebanon. They conducted a field visit in Nabatieh, where they observed the registration process and reviewed the initial outcomes of the cash assistance program.
During the visit, attendees oversaw the work of field teams from the Ministry of Agriculture, which are responsible for registering farmers in the National Agricultural Registry, a key tool that enables farmers to benefit from the Ministry’s services and various support programs. Registered farmers received official identification cards that will allow them to access agricultural support directly and in an organized manner in the future.
Thus far in May 2025, a total of 11,236 farmers have been registered in the South of Lebanon; 2,861 in Nabatieh Caza and 3,729 in Hasbaya Caza. The initiative is actively being implemented across the South and Nabatieh governorates.
Based on the data collected through this registry, The Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with WFP launched the first phase of its cash voucher assistance funded by the European Union, reaching 2,000 smallholder farmers in Nabatieh, South Lebanon, and in the Baalbek-Hermel governorates. The vouchers help farmers access essential agricultural inputs, maintain production, and contribute to local food security.
The Ministry of Agriculture has set a strategic goal of registering at least 100,000 farmers nationwide by the end of 2025, covering around 50 percent of farmers in each district. To achieve this target, the Ministry established 12 mobile teams working in coordination with 43 agricultural centers and 7 regional offices, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all areas, especially remote and underserved regions.
To achieve this target, the Ministry established 12 mobile teams working in coordination with 43 agricultural centers and 7 regional offices. Approximately 70 percent of registrations are expected to take place through MoA’s 43 agricultural centers and 7 regional services, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all areas, especially remote and underserved regions.
This initiative is part of the broader EU-funded project titled “Contributing to Food Security for Refugees and Host Communities Living in Lebanon,” which supports efforts led by the Ministry of Agriculture to empower agricultural communities and strengthen their resilience through integrated and sustainable solutions.