Beirut: The second weekly report issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture revealed a "worrying situation that threatens the agricultural sector and food security in the country, as attacks have caused widespread damage to agricultural lands, farmers, and production chains."

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, official data shows that the damaged agricultural areas reached 49,564 hectares across Lebanon, with the largest share concentrated in the South and Nabatieh (47,000 hectares), while the remaining damages were distributed across other regions. In just one week, additional damage exceeding 3,000 hectares was recorded, reflecting the accelerating pace of losses. Most critically, these damages account for about 22% of the total agricultural land in Lebanon, placing national food security under unprecedented challenges.

The report also revealed serious humanitarian repercussions, with more than 17,000 affected farmers, a significant portion of whom were forced to relocate. The damages were not limited to the land but extended to various agricultural activities, from olives and citrus fruits to bananas, vineyards, and protected crops. A worrying increase in losses was also recorded in the livestock sector, with poultry production losses rising by 27% in just one week.

Despite remedy efforts, the report emphasized that the damage scale exceeds current capacities, necessitating swift action at both the local and international levels to prevent the agricultural sector's collapse. In light of these alarming indicators, attention is turning to the urgent need to intensify support for farmers and strengthen their resilience, considering them the first line of defense for food security in Lebanon, the report asserted.