Fanar –
Fadi Ghanem, President of the Ghadi Association, Chairman of the Media Group, and Coordinator of the IUCN Members Network, visited Dr. Jad Shaaya, Chairman and Director General of the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI), at the institute’s headquarters in Fanar, where he congratulated him on his recent appointment.

The meeting featured a comprehensive discussion on the current state of Lebanon’s agricultural sector and the challenges it faces amid ongoing conditions, particularly in relation to food security and climate change. Talks also explored avenues for strengthening cooperation between LARI and the media group, which includes specialized environmental media platforms, with the aim of promoting scientific agricultural knowledge, raising awareness on sustainable practices, and supporting farmers.

Both parties underscored the importance of integrating scientific research with environmental media to advance sustainable agricultural development, while highlighting innovations and modern technologies that can enhance productivity and improve the quality of Lebanese agricultural products.

Following the meeting, Ghanem and Dr. Shaaya toured several departments of the institute, where they reviewed advanced laboratories and research facilities, as well as key programs and projects implemented by LARI in areas such as plant disease monitoring, natural resource management, and climate change adaptation.

Ghanem stated: “The Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute represents a cornerstone in supporting Lebanon’s agricultural sector, given its advanced scientific and technical role. We strongly believe in the importance of partnering with this national institution to promote knowledge-based environmental media and deliver accurate information to farmers and the public, thereby strengthening the sector’s resilience and its ability to respond to current challenges.”

For his part, Dr. Shaaya emphasized “the importance of openness to partnerships with various stakeholders, particularly environmental media institutions, which play a key role in communicating research findings to farmers and society, and translating them into practical applications on the ground.” He also affirmed that “LARI will continue to develop its research and technical programs to support agricultural sustainability in Lebanon and enhance national food security.”

This visit comes within the broader framework of strengthening coordination between scientific and media institutions, in line with environmental and agricultural challenges, and in support of sustainable development pathways in Lebanon.