Beirut: The "ARADINA" project was officially launched this morning under the patronage of the Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Dr. Nizar Hani, at a ceremony held at the Commodore Hotel in Hamra. This four-year initiative, funded by the Agence Fran§aise de D©veloppement and implemented in partnership with the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Montpellier (CIHEAM Montpellier), Action Against Hunger, and Fair Trade Lebanon, will support 2,500 farmers and 145 cooperatives in adopting sustainable agroecological practices across Lebanon.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the event was attended by Minister Hani, alongside representatives of official institutions, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and civil society, in addition to a number of farmers and cooperatives. In his remarks, Minister Hani highlighted that the project aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture's 2025-2026 strategic orientations, which focus on supporting farmers affected by crises, strengthening their skills, improving market access for agricultural products, and consolidating sustainable ecological practices. He stressed that the launch of ARADINA marks a pivotal step towards a greener and more resilient future for Lebanese agriculture, extending his gratitude to the project partners, farmers, and cooperatives as the cornerstone of its success.
The ceremony also featured speeches by Mr. Thierry Dupeuble, Director of CIHEAM Montpellier, and Mr. Jean-Bertrand Mothes, Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Lebanon. Mr. Mothes stated, "with ARADINA, we want to help Lebanese farmers grow sustainably, access markets, and strengthen their communities." The speeches were followed by a detailed presentation on the project delivered by Dr. Hatem Belhouchette from CIHEAM. The program included panel discussions led by consortium partners on supporting farmers' transition to agroecology, the role of cooperatives and small and medium enterprises in this shift, as well as lessons learned from field experiences.
The event concluded with an open discussion and a reception, where participants underscored the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors and civil society in building a fairer and more sustainable agricultural sector in Lebanon. The ARADINA project aims to improve the livelihoods of Lebanese farmers, preserve natural resources, establish traceable and transparent value chains and markets offering healthy and profitable products. The project also seeks to engage civil society and policymakers in adopting agroecology as a strategic pathway for Lebanon's agriculture.