Over one-fifth of Lebanon's agricultural land has been damaged by Israel's intensified attacks on the country, ongoing amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, Agricultural Minister Nizar Hani told The New Arab in an exclusive interview.
Hani said the total cumulative agricultural area damaged by Israeli attacks has reached 49,564 hectares, mostly in the South and Nabatieh governorates, amounting to around 22 percent of Lebanon's farmland.
The minister, citing data, said the affected areas are mostly olive groves, followed by medium and large holdings, as well as citrus trees and bananas.
Other impacted agricultural areas also include fruit trees, vineyards and greenhouses.
The south produces around 70 percent of Lebanon’s citrus fruits, which are also exported to neighbouring countries such as Jordan and Syria, while 90 percent of Lebanon’s bananas are also produced in the south.
Supply chains have been particularly affected in the south due to the bridges being target ed, many of which have been deliberately destroyed by Israel, as well as daily attacks and threats against trucks, he said.
Hani stressed that the ministry is monitoring agricultural and food supply chains, and is working to support farmers in marketing their produce during the ongoing Israeli attacks.
He added that the ministry was "taking exceptional measures" to expedite the import of farm produce and was coordinating with the economy ministry to monitor markets and prices, among other administrative measures to support the agricultural sector in order to achieve food security amid the conflict.
Threats to the Masnaa border crossing with Syria are also restricting the movement of goods.
Due to a decrease in production and nationwide exports as a direct result of the conflict, citrus fruit prices have increased significantly, Hani added, rising by as much as 150 percent.
The minister pointed out that the biggest challenges facing the agricultural sector are livestock, specifically cattle, sheep and bees.
In order to alleviate these challenges, Hani said the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are in direct coordination to keep as much livestock safe as possible.
In the interview with The New Arab , he said any progress on improving the already damaged agricultural sector in the south had to be halted due to the conflict’s intensification on 2 March, after Lebanon was drawn into the wider Middle East conflict triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Israel's assault has also triggered the displacement of 76.7 percent of farmers, while only 23.3 percent remain, with nearly 2,000 still in high-risk areas.
Toxic substances, including white phosphorus , from Israel’s bombs are also damaging soil, triggering concerns over long-term impacts and how long it could take for authorities to make the land suitable for production again.
On how long it could take Lebanon to revive the agricultural sector after the war, Hani told TNA that "there is an existing plan to revitalise it that is still in place," which "needs updating and development based on new data and information".
"Part of the funding is available, and we are trying to allocate a portion of it to directly support farmers so they can withstand this major crisis. Part of the ministry's plan also focuses on supporting safe areas to compensate for the heavy losses suffered by the south in the value of its agricultural sector."
He stressed that the ministry is working on programmes to support residents and landowners and will help improve the situation by producing 1.5 million vegetable seedlings to be distributed in specific quantities to ensure that families achieve self-sufficiency in vegetables.
"We must not forget that agriculture remains the lifeblood of the land and the foundation of food security, and we must give this sector our full attention and support," he said.
The south’s agricultural areas had already suffered extensive damage due to Israel’s 2023-2024 conflict amid the war in Gaza, amounting to losses estimated at around $800 million.
That conflict alone killed over 4,000 Lebanese and also caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
At least 1,497 people have been killed in Lebanon since 2 March, including 130 children. Israel has been frequently striking southern Lebanon , as well as parts of the capital, Beirut, and the eastern Bekaa Valley, amid the wider war in the Middle East.