August/2025

Agriculture in Lebanon: Challenges to Growth and Sustainability.

Agriculture has historically played a significant role in Lebanon’s economy, culture, and rural development. From the fertile Bekaa Valley to the olive groves of the north, Lebanon's diverse climate and topography have long supported a variety of crops, fruits, and livestock. However, in recent decades—and particularly after the country’s economic collapse in 2019—the agricultural sector has experienced severe setbacks. Farmers now face a web of interlinked challenges that threaten the sector's viability and sustainability. These challenges include water scarcity, the high cost of inputs, urban sprawl, pest infestations, poor infrastructure, market competition, and weak government policies. This article explores these core issues in depth, highlighting their root causes, impacts, and the urgent need for reform and investment in Lebanon's agricultural landscape.

1. Water Scarcity and Poor Irrigation

Lebanon once had abundant freshwater resources, thanks to its mountainous geography and high rainfall. However, mismanagement, climate change, and lack of infrastructure have turned this natural advantage into a liability.

Mismanagement and Over-Extraction

Water resources in Lebanon are poorly managed, with no national water strategy effectively implemented. A significant portion of irrigation depends on groundwater, which is being over-extracted without proper regulation. This leads to aquifer depletion and, in some coastal areas, salinization due to seawater intrusion.

Inefficient Irrigation Systems

Traditional irrigation methods—such as flood irrigation—remain common in many regions. These methods waste significant amounts of water and result in uneven crop distribution. Drip irrigation and sprinkler systems, which can save water by over 50%, are underutilized due to high upfront costs and lack of technical knowledge.

Climate Change Effects

Lebanon is increasingly experiencing droughts and irregular rainfall patterns. Rainfall, which is the primary source of replenishing water tables and rivers, has become more erratic, affecting sowing cycles and crop maturity. The dry seasons are getting longer, increasing the need for artificial irrigation, which puts more stress on already limited water reserves.

2. Economic Crisis and High Input Costs

Lebanon's economic collapse since 2019 has plunged the country into one of the worst financial crises in modern history. This has had a devastating impact on the agricultural sector.

Currency Devaluation and Inflation

The Lebanese pound has lost over 90% of its value since 2019, making imported agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery exorbitantly expensive. As a result, many farmers have reduced cultivation areas or abandoned farming altogether.

Fuel Prices and Energy Costs

Fuel subsidies were lifted due to IMF pressure and dwindling state reserves, causing diesel and gasoline prices to skyrocket. These fuels are vital for operating tractors, water pumps, and transportation. Farmers now spend a significant portion of their income on fuel alone.

Banking Restrictions and Credit Shortages

Lebanese banks have placed strict limits on withdrawals and transfers. As a result, many farmers can’t access their savings or secure loans to purchase necessary inputs or expand their operations. The lack of financing hits small-scale farmers the hardest, as they are often excluded from informal lending networks.

3. Land Fragmentation and Urbanization

The limited availability of agricultural land is another major challenge, worsened by poor land use policies and rapid urban expansion.

Land Fragmentation

Generational inheritance patterns, especially in rural areas, have led to subdivision of farmland into tiny plots. These small and scattered plots are hard to mechanize, reduce economies of scale, and limit the ability to adopt modern agricultural techniques.

Unplanned Urban Growth

Urbanization, especially around Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and coastal cities, is spreading into once-productive farmland. With weak land zoning enforcement and political interference, illegal construction on agricultural land is rampant. Once land is urbanized, it's rarely returned to agricultural use.

Rural Exodus and Abandonment

Due to the economic hardships and low profitability of farming, young people are leaving rural areas in search of better opportunities. This results in abandoned farmland, which leads to overgrowth, fire hazards, and further loss of agricultural potential.

4. Pests and Plant Diseases

Agricultural pests and diseases are a recurring threat to productivity and food security in Lebanon.

Pest Outbreaks

Farmers frequently report damage from pests such as the Mediterranean fruit fly, aphids, and cutworms, especially in fruit orchards and vegetable crops. These pests reduce yields and market value.

Weak Government Support

The Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture has a limited budget and cannot provide adequate support for pest control programs, extension services, or early warning systems. Farmers often resort to excessive pesticide use, which creates resistance among pests and pollutes the environment.

Soil and Human Health Risks

The overuse of chemical pesticides not only reduces biodiversity and kills beneficial insects (like bees), but it also contaminates soil and water. Additionally, poorly regulated pesticides pose serious health risks to farm workers and consumers due to residue in food.

5. Poor Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Losses

Infrastructure is the backbone of any sustainable agricultural system. In Lebanon, poor infrastructure severely limits farmers’ ability to store, process, and transport their goods.

Inadequate Storage Facilities

Lack of cold storage and warehouses causes significant post-harvest losses, especially for perishable products like fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Without proper preservation, products spoil quickly and can't be sold in distant markets.

Transport and Logistics Problems

Lebanon’s transportation network is underdeveloped, with poorly maintained rural roads and limited access to refrigerated vehicles. This results in high transportation costs, lower profit margins, and food waste.

Limited Processing and Value Addition

There are few facilities for agro-processing, which could help farmers create higher-value products such as canned vegetables, fruit juices, and dairy products. This limits their income and makes them vulnerable to price fluctuations in raw produce.

6. Market Challenges and International Competition

Market access and fair pricing are crucial for the survival of farmers. Lebanese agriculture suffers from both local inefficiencies and external competition.

Cheap Imports Undercut Local Produce

Lebanon imports large quantities of fruits, vegetables, grains, and processed foods—often at cheaper prices than local products due to subsidized agriculture in neighboring countries. Farmers cannot compete with imports from Syria, Turkey, and Egypt, especially when local production costs are high.

Weak Branding and Export Promotion

Lebanese agricultural products are not well branded or marketed abroad. The country lacks a comprehensive strategy to promote exports and meet international standards for packaging, quality, and certification.

Political Instability Affects Export Routes

Tensions with Gulf countries and the closure of border routes have restricted access to major export markets. The Beirut port explosion in 2020 further crippled trade and added to logistics challenges.

7. Government Neglect and Policy Failures

Perhaps the most critical issue is the lack of effective governance and strategic planning in Lebanon’s agricultural sector.

Absence of Long-Term Vision

Agriculture has long been neglected in national development plans, with more focus placed on services and real estate. The government has failed to invest in research, training, and technology to modernize agriculture.

Corruption and Mismanagement

Subsidy programs meant to support farmers are often plagued by corruption and misallocation. Reports indicate that subsidies for diesel, fertilizers, and seeds have been diverted to politically connected individuals or sold on the black market.

Weak Law Enforcement

Laws that protect farmland, water resources, and forests are often poorly enforced, due to political interference or lack of administrative capacity. Illegal construction on farmland continues with impunity.

Solutions and Recommendations

Lebanon’s agricultural sector is at a crossroads. It requires bold reforms and comprehensive support to regain its vitality. Below are some actionable recommendations:

Water Management Reforms

● Develop a national water strategy that includes efficient irrigation, water harvesting, and aquifer protection.
● Promote modern irrigation systems through subsidies and training.
● Invest in wastewater treatment and reuse for agriculture.

Economic Support and Input Subsidies

● Create a targeted agricultural subsidy program to help farmers access inputs.
● Encourage local production of fertilizers and seeds to reduce reliance on imports.
● Provide low-interest credit through microfinance institutions and cooperatives.

Land Use Planning

● Enforce zoning laws to protect agricultural land.
● Offer incentives for cooperative farming and land consolidation to improve efficiency.
● Invest in rural infrastructure to make farming more viable and attractive.

Pest Management and Extension Services

● Strengthen plant protection programs with monitoring and early warning systems.
● Promote integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to reduce pesticide dependency.
● Train extension workers to educate farmers on sustainable practices.

Infrastructure Development

● Build cold storage, packing houses, and rural roads.
● Support agro-processing industries through public-private partnerships.
● Improve access to transportation and digital platforms for marketing.

Market Access and Branding

● Develop country-of-origin branding for Lebanese produce.
● Simplify export procedures and help farmers meet international standards.
● Encourage e-commerce platforms for local and diaspora markets.

Governance and Policy Overhaul

● Establish a Ministry of Agriculture Reform Commission with independent oversight.
● Increase the agriculture budget and decentralize services to local authorities.
● Build transparency in subsidy distribution using digital tracking systems.

Lebanon’s agriculture is both a legacy of its past and a vital hope for its future. Despite severe challenges—including environmental pressures, economic turmoil, and governance failures—the sector still holds immense potential for employment, food security, and rural development. With proper reforms, investment, and strategic vision, Lebanon can transform its agricultural sector from a struggling industry into a pillar of resilience and sustainability. The time for action is now. Reinvigorating agriculture is not just about growing food—it's about restoring dignity to farmers, preserving rural life, and ensuring that Lebanon can feed itself in times of crisis and beyond.