Our country’s agriculture is undergoing a period of profound mutation. This transformation is driven by an absolute necessity for resilience. At Baynetna.media, we observe that the rural sector is changing its face. It is no longer just a legacy of the past; it is becoming the laboratory of a new Lebanese economy. In September 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture reached a milestone by officially launching the ARADINA program. This name means “Our Lands” in Arabic, carrying a promise of regained sovereignty. This project does not settle for temporary aid; it aims to rebuild the very foundations of our food security.
A Vital Response to Financial Collapse
Minister Nizar Hani coordinates this ambitious ARADINA project. It responds directly to the financial urgency striking Lebanon. Our country traditionally imports more than 80% of its food needs.
This dependence makes us vulnerable to international crises and exposes us to the depreciation of the Lebanese pound. The project relies on increased local production. We must imperatively produce better to import less.
Choosing Sustainability in the Lebanese Countryside
The transition toward agroecology in Lebanon is at the heart of the action. We must reduce farmers’ dependence on chemical inputs, whose prices have skyrocketed in recent years. This has strangled many small Lebanese farms. By regenerating the soil, our peasants regain their autonomy. They learn to better manage natural resources and optimize water usage—a crucial point in the face of water stress.
Operational Pillars of a Rural Renaissance in Lebanon
The funding for this ambition is solid. The French Development Agency (AFD) provides this essential component, mobilizing seven million euros for this transformation. The Aradina program spans four years and targets the most fertile regions of Lebanon. Akkar, the Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon are priorities. These lands are the true breadbasket of our nation.
Training a New Elite of Lebanese Farmers
The first axis concerns upstream technical training. More than 2,500 farmers are learning natural and resilient cultivation techniques. Composting is now replacing costly chemical fertilizers. Integrated pest management protects crops without toxic pesticides. The use of local seeds preserves ancestral Lebanese biodiversity. These methods radically decrease production costs.
Supporting Lebanon and the Collective Strength of Our Lands
The second pillar of the ARADINA project strengthens processing. The program actively supports 146 Lebanese cooperatives. These structures receive modern and high-performance equipment. Solar drying units are installed in villages, and high-tech presses improve oil quality. Raw products become high-value goods, and the know-how of Lebanese artisans is finally valued.
Conquering Global Markets
The third axis of the Aradina program facilitates access to international markets. To export, our products must be irreproachable. The program funds quality certification processes. Lebanese-produced olive oil must shine on foreign tables. Honey and Zaatar also benefit from this support. The national brand is regaining its prestige.
Social and Environmental Impact at the Heart of Lebanese Identity
Agroecology in Lebanon goes beyond simple agricultural technique. It is a societal project that unites our communities. By targeting cooperatives, the ARADINA project unleashes energy.
The Driving Role of Fair Trade Lebanon
The partner Fair Trade Lebanon ensures a vital mission. The organization monitors the respect for fair selling prices. This approach protects the social fabric of our mountains and guarantees that profit remains with local producers. Thus, we see the birth of a new solidarity where each village becomes a stakeholder in national growth.
Energy Independence through Solar Power
The environmental aspect relies on renewable energies. In a Lebanon deprived of public electricity, the sun helps. The ARADINA project installs high-performance solar pumps. Drip irrigation systems are deployed throughout Lebanon. These innovations reduce the carbon footprint and, above all, lower the farms’ bills. Energy autonomy is finally becoming a reality for our farmers.
Agritech and the Creative Momentum of Lebanese Youth
Young professionnels in Lebanon are innovating with passion. The ARADINA project allows for the modernization of the rural economy. Lebanese start-ups are creating unique technological solutions. They are developing total traceability via blockchain. Some use drones to monitor Lebanese orchards. This modernization attracts new profiles back to the land; graduates are leaving the cities to return to our countryside.
Reclaiming Markets and the Challenges of Food Security in Lebanon
Despite the obstacles, Lebanese exports are coming back to life. Confidence is returning among our historical partners in the Gulf. Compliance with global standards has become a priority. The agricultural sector in Lebanon is becoming an economic engine.
A Lebanese Diaspora Mobilized for its Homeland
The strength of Lebanon lies in its children abroad. Products from agroecology in Lebanon speak directly to them. The Lebanese diaspora seeks authentic and healthy flavors. Every purchase directly supports a producer in Lebanon. It is a vital link for the economy of our villages. This cross-border solidarity makes our nation strong.
Balancing Export and Local Consumption
However, we must remain lucid about the social situation. The recovery of the sector in Lebanon takes time. Exporting brings in foreign currency, but we must feed everyone. The success of the ARADINA project depends on this balance. It must fill our plates before supplying foreign ones. Food security in Lebanon remains the priority objective.
Toward Sustainable Autonomy and a Radiant Future
The future of Lebanon is played out in its fertile furrows. Agroecology in Lebanon is a shield against uncertainty. Thanks to the ARADINA project, we are rediscovering our natural wealth. We are learning to respect this generous land of Lebanon. This rediscovered pride carries our collective resilience.
Sowing Today to Harvest Tomorrow Together
We believe this model will inspire other sectors. The success of agroecology in Lebanon shows the way. Our difficulties are not an immutable fatality. By investing in people, we prepare the future. It is with this panache that we will rebuild our country. The momentum is now launched across all Lebanese soil.
Sources:
- L’Orient-Le Jour: Hani lance un projet de soutien aux agriculteurs financé par l’AFD (September 2025).
- The Beiruter: ARADINA: Lebanon’s green leap toward sustainable agriculture (September 2025).
- Fair Trade Lebanon: AFD Delegation in Lebanon to Launch the Aradina Project (April 2025).
- Agence Française de Développement (AFD): Country page: The AFD group and Lebanon – Resilience Report.
- WFP (World Food Programme): Food Security Monitoring Bulletins for Lebanon (2025).
