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Al Akhbar published a report last week about the state of agriculture sector in Lebanon and the key challenges it is facing as a result of high cost of production, monopoly of traders and unfavorable international trade agreements.  The report also referred to food security which, according to the former Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Hajj Hasan, is of an utmost importance, and which he defined as the right of every individual to healthy food, in adequate quantities, and according to his/her material means. Furthermore, the former Minister noted that food security in Lebanon is non-existent and that the biggest challenge to both agriculture and food security results from the fact that out of 1.1 million hectares of exploitable land in Lebanon, only 360,000 hectares are actually prone to easy planting, while the total area actually planted do not exceed 280000 hectares of which, only 32% is irrigated.

The report highlighted the small size of agricultural land parcels, which is also a key problem, according to agricultural expert Basam Hamdar, who is also the chair of economics at the American University of Science and Technology.  According to the expert, agricultural land is divided into 195,000 parcels, of which more than 50% have an area of less than 5 dunums (1 dunum = 1000 m²), whilst only 13% of 20 dunums and above.  The small size of land parcels hinders mechanization thus lowering agricultural productivity which does not exceed 25% of that of the European Union and 50% of that of other Arab countries for the same crops.

Hamdar added that the agriculture sector in Lebanon has been subjected to political marginalisation since independence and contribute today, to no more than 5% of the GNP and accounts for 6% of the total labour force. Of those involved in agriculture, 70% are engaged in other economic activities since income from agriculture is insufficient to meet basic livelihood needs.  To be noted that 60% of the farmers produce for the market and the rest for their own consumption.  Other then the high cost of production, partly resulting from the present monopoly control of traders over imports of fertilizers, pesticides, etc, marketing also poses a serious problem for food security. As a result of all the preceding factors, middlemen are reaping most of the benefits while small farmer receives a very small proportion of no more than 20%.

Hamdar also stressed the important role that the state can play through the creation of a special bank for agricultural credit open for investors from both the private and public sectors, and in order to meet the financial needs of farmers particularly for long term loans with small interest rates. Furthermore, he suggested providing farmers with various incentives such as subsidizing the cost of utilities, tax waivers for the first five years of start up agricultural projects.  He also pointed out to earlier attempts by the Ministry to provide support to agriculture through collaboration with Central Bank and the Bankers Association but with limited success and the only outcome of these efforts was in securing subsidised loans through Kafalat.

Minister Haj Hassan noted for his part that the responsibility for the present abysmal situation of the agricultural sector falls on governmental economic policies for the past twenty to thirty years that were largely unfavorable to the agricultural sector. He particularly pointed out to the wrong decision of opening the local market to foreign products in implementation of unfair trade agreements such as the Arab common market agreements.  He added that the burden to reinvigorate the sector cannot only fall on the Ministry, thus calling for concerted efforts amongst all concerned Ministries and for complimentarity with the neighboring countries.

On the other hand, the president of the Lebanese Farmers Association, Antoine Howayek, noted that the situation of the Lebanese agriculture is not expected to improve unless some serious measures are taken such as: the setting up the of a national bank for agricultural development, regularly reviewing the calendar of agricultural imports, protection of national production and the setting up of a national institution for insurance against climate hazards.  He further recommended the separation of the Chamber of Agriculture from that of Commerce and Industry, and the creation of the agricultural cadastre. He added that all political parties had signed up to these recommendations which came out of the social and economic forum organised by the European Union in Lebanon back in February 2009.  Finally, Howayek reminded that earlier governments repeatedly refused to set up an agricultural bank under pressure from financial and trade oligarchies. Thereafter, the proposal was reduced to a mere collaboration protocol between the Ministry of Agriculture and Fransabank first, and then between the Ministry and the Bankers Association in which the Ministry serves as a mere broker between the farmers asking for loans and the lending banks.
Source: Al-Akhbar 15 February 2014

The welfare and development centre of the Social Welfare Institutions – Dar Al Aytam Al Islamiya organized yesterday at Souk el Khazen in Hasbaya, an event to celebrate the graduation of 25 participants in the association’s beautician training and which extended over a two month period.  This vocational training session took place in the areas of Hassbaya and Marjeyoun and under the supervision of trainer Raghida Daher.

The president of the centre, Lina Abou Karnib, noted in her speech at the reception that empowerment intervention carried out by the Welfare Institutions are not limited solely to women but extend over all genders and social strata and include men, children and other needy categories.

Trainee Mayssa Saab spoke on behalf of her class and acknowledged the hard work carried out by the Welfare Association in order to spread public good, advance local communities and support women.  She added that the Association work in social care and hence its intervention with women to help them build better lives for their families and local communities.
Source: Al-Mustqbal 21 February 2014

Seven years after initiating the first steps towards enacting a law that regulates the partnership between the private and the public sector, the higher council for privatization issued yesterday a guidebook entitled “public-private partnerships”.  The guidebook seek to familiarize users with the key steps towards endorsing the partnership law and providing the necessary groundwork to support the rehabilitation of the infrastructure necessary for securing successful projects as well as employment opportunities.
The guidebook which is available on the Council’s website, on this link, was distributed to the members of the Executive and of the House, to other relevant authorities in the private and public sector, to embassies and international organizations.  The general secretary of the higher council for privatizations, Ziad Hayek, noted that the release of the procurement procedures for commissioning partnership contracts is essential step towards joint collaboration between the two sectors for financing and executing new public infrastructure work such as a modern communication grid, electrical networks, sanitary systems, safe roads and others.  He insisted that the implementation of joint projects is also the best way to create a high number of jobs of high caliber thus curbing the migration of young Lebanese talents.
Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Safir, Al-Nahar 20 February 2014
 

Within the framework of the French agricultural aid program, Daman 2, and which aims at improving the quality of agricultural production and the wellbeing of farmers in the South particularly after the July 2006 war, French Ambassador, Patrice Paoli signed yesterday, in collaboration with the French Ministry of Agriculture, partnership agreements with representatives of six agricultural cooperatives located in Southern villages, namely Hula, Sreefa, Borj Kalaway, Froon, Kooneen, and Rshaff.
The initial phases of this 500K Euros project were implemented in 2008 and 2010 in collaboration with the UNIFIL French contingent and with the financial support of the French development agency, the Lebanese ADR, as well as Agriate, the French consulting firm in agriculture and rural development, in addition to the support of the Social Development Fund affiliated with the French Embassy.  The initial phases included the setting up of agricultural cooperatives aiming at improving the quality of local olive oil production through the setting up of modern olive press, and thereafter jumpstarting the economy of the targeted villages.
This new phase now being implemented includes the provision of  technical support and agricultural extension to improve management and governance, the training of farmers on advanced new techniques for  upgrading production and performance through the provision of the required equipments. This phase also seeks to support the sustainability of the cooperatives and best practices in administration and finance within the targeted cooperatives.
Source: Al-Nahar 20 February 2014

The follow-up committee of the organizations representing the olive oil sector met upon the invitation of the president of the association of olive farmers in Kura, George Constantine Inati, and announced its new action plan, and addressed an open letter to the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the House and the Prime Minister as well as the members of the Cabinet entrusted with drafting the Ministerial Statement.  The committee reiterated its past demand, aiming at the development of agricultural communities of Lebanon. It called for the protection of national production, the banning of imports of olive oil, combating economic terrorism which takes the form of spoiling the quality of local olive oil production, stopping the ravaging of olive trees orchards through construction and protecting historical olive trees.  The committee is also demanding that the Ministries of Economy and Trade, and Agriculture put in place effective measures to combat pests and diseases attacking olive trees, introduce a tax on cement extraction from planted land, subsidize olive orchards with cash and finally, introduce a national plan to plant one hundred million olive trees to combat global warming, climate change and desertification.
Source: Al-Nahar 20 February 2014

An official ceremony was held yesterday to mark the handover of the Ministry of Industry from outgoing Minister Sabounjian to incoming Minister Hajj Hassan.  The latter stated that the industry in Lebanon is a promising sector and needs to be nurtured and protected by the state, adding that there is no state in the world that does not protect its agriculture and industry.  He pointed out to the fact that many politicians travel abroad in an effort to encourage import to Lebanon (rather then to promote exports) at a time when Lebanon’s yearly imports have risen to USD 14 billion whereas its imports are a mere USD 2 billion.
Hajj Hassan also spoke about the need to protect national production and wondered why no decision was ever taken to double exports for example and decrease imports by USD 2 billion as this will help create new factories and employment opportunities which will subsequently decrease unemployment.  He also noted that the argument of high production costs is invalid stating that most countries of the world suffer from high production costs,  taxes and high energy prices but nevertheless resort to protecting production through different means namely curbing imports, imposing strict conditions as well as negotiating quotas.
In conclusion, Hajj Hassan added that during the three month lifespan of the new cabinet, he will focus on putting together a new approach to support and develop the production sectors of the economy after meeting with the various stakeholders, (IDAL, the chamber of commerce, industry and agriculture, regional chambers, trade unions, etc..) and so as to identify and address priorities.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar 20 February 2014

Al Akhbar newspaper published last week a report on the phenomenon of marriage of under age girls by journalist Rajana Hamieh.  The author highlights the absence of official statistics which would have shed some light on this matter.  As such, the only data available pertains to a study conducted by CAS and UNICEF on the situation of women and children in Lebanon and which dates back to 2009.  Hamieh notes that despite its importance, this study does not reflect the current realities with the obvious rise in the marriage of under age girls especially amongst displaced Syrian families as well as poor local families.  The CAS study which covers a sample of 7560 women indicated that 2.1% of the women who were aged between 15 and 49 during the time of the study married before the age of 15 whereas 13.4% of women who were aged between 18 and 49 during the study married under 18 years of age. Some 10.5% of women who got married before the age of 18 were mostly residents of the Beirut suburbs, followed by 7.7% in Mount Lebanon.  North Lebanon scored the higher percentage of women who were married before the age of 15 (3.3%) which is consistent with the situation today and the recent reporting of three cases of young girls married at 14 years of age.

The author concludes by demanding that the state enacts a law for minimum marriage bringing up the marriage age to18. She highlights that 18 year olds are not allowed voting because they did attain legal eligibility whereas determining the age of marriage is left to confessional authorities who condone under age marriage.  She also points out to the Human Rights Convention which guarantee the right of every individual to enter Marriage only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses, as well as to clause 16 of the Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women which stipulates that “The betrothal and the marriage of a child shall have no legal effect, and all necessary action, including legislation, shall be taken to specify a minimum age for marriage and to make the registration of marriages in an official registry compulsory.”
Source: Al-Akhbar 14 February 2014

As-Safir newspaper published, last week, a report focusing on both issues of crossing the confession from the civil registers, contracting and registering civil marriages in Lebanon.  This report came after the conclusion of a six month process during which the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities studied six civil marriage files resulting in their registration in the civil registers.  With this, twelve cases of civil marriages contracted in Lebanon would have been processed successfully.
As Safir also refers to a number of cases in which Lebanese citizens faced difficulties after choosing to cross the reference to their confession from their civil register. Difficulties were particularly encountered when applying for jobs, registering civil or religious marriages as well as divorce and inheritance.  All cases talk of the frustrations they have felt and the inflexibility of many a civil servant.
Within this framework, public notary Joseph Beshara noted that there are no longer any real obstacles facing any couple as the solution is in the law and judges enjoy the flexibility of interpreting the law.  He also added that the Constitution as well as International Convention have precedence over local laws and they safeguard the principle of equality as well as the right of children.  Lawyer Nayla Geagea noted for her part that the struggle for civil marriage as an alternative for all Lebanese is far from over, however, there are now laws and decisions which will challenge any civil servant who decides to be an obstacle in such cases.  She added that the cases picked up by the media, in case of employment or registration of civil marriage, all have legal solutions.  Lawyer Bassel Abdallah of the Civil Society Movement noted that things are moving in the right direction and that obstacles are being removed in terms of registering civil marriage, employment and even in terms of inheritance eventhough he believes, that the campaign to cross the confession should have required more efforts.
Activists who celebrated last week the official registration of civil marriage do not know for sure how many citizens actually scrapped their confession from their civil register.  However, according to LUDY activist, Arabi Andary, some 2000 individuals have taken this step since the start of the campaign.  He also noted, as per Geagea, that the law protects all those who take this step.
Source: Al-Safir 17 February 2014

With the seemingly increase in domestic violence crimes in Lebanon, An Nahar newspaper published a report on the reactions of civil society and women organizations.  Activist Linda Matar told the newspaper that throughout her journey, she has never witnessed that sharp level of domestic violence in Lebanon and which is leading to the death of several women.  According to Matar, the absence of a law protecting women coupled with a patriarchal system have both contributed to the victimization of women.  Matar adds that laws actually protect men and not women although the latter are citizens who work hard to secure the livelihood and education of their children.  The director of Kafa, Zoya Ruhana, noted that there is no statistical rise in the number of domestic violence incidents.  What is different is the fact that the media is playing a more important role in highlighting these crimes.  In the past, families of the victims were part of a conspiracy of silence leading to considering these crimes as accidents.  Families are now more aware of domestic violence as a crime.  Ruhana added that Kafa is currently preparing for a public action on March 8th consisting of a march from the Museum to the Ministry of Justice so as to raise awareness on this issue and on the need to enact the law.  She added that invitations have already been disseminated on social media and asked for the collaboration of all in this action.
On the other hand, the press offices of MPs Strida GeaGea and Elie Keyrouz issued a statement condemning the murder of Krystel Abi Chacra who suffered from domestic violence for many years and as the judiciary to perform an in depth investigation to uncover this crime.  Both reaffirmed their support to the domestic violence protection legislative bill under consideration.
Source: Al-Nahar 19 February 2014

The phenomenon of deadly violence against women has gone beyond borders with the murder last week of Maguy Bou Kreim (47, mother of two children) by her husband in Sidney (Australia) who bludgeoned her to death.  This is the fourth such incident in less than a month.  The husband was charged with the murder of his wife by the Australian police who refused to release him on bail.  Within the same vein, the husband of Krystel Abi Assi who had succumbed to a lethal dose of poison was arrested at the Jdaideh judicial station following a warrant after he was sued by his wife’s family and whilst waiting for the communication data so as to go further in the investigation.
Against this gory background, the president of the Parliamentary Commission for Human rights, MP Michel Moussa, called on the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Interior and Municipalities as well as the district attorney and the director general of internal security to meet next Tuesday to hear the Ministers’ new plans with regards to addressing the growing problem of domestic violence.  In an interview to the An Nahar newspaper, MP Michel Moussa noted that his Commission will first require that the judiciary speeds up the processing of current cases as well as call on the Parliament to proceed with the endorsement of the project law to protect women from domestic violence.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Safir, Al-Nahar 19 February 2014