By Abbas Nazil
In the aftermath of Israel’s recent war on Lebanon, young people across the country are working to reclaim agricultural land, restore food sovereignty, and promote sustainable farming practices.
Kfar Kila, a southern border village heavily bombed during the conflict, suffered extensive destruction, including damage to its renowned olive groves, grapevines, and honey production. Farmers like 25-year-old Hadi Awada are determined to rebuild despite the devastation.
Forced to evacuate in October 2024, Hadi returned weeks ago to find his family’s olive groves severely impacted, with some trees uprooted and others damaged.
Compounding the challenge, Israel’s alleged use of white phosphorus bombs has raised concerns about soil contamination.
Despite these obstacles, Hadi remains committed to restoring the land using eco-agriculture techniques.
Having embraced permaculture and composting methods since 2022, he is now testing soil composition to determine the best biological restoration approach.
Lebanon’s agriculture has long been dependent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, a practice that intensified in the 1960s in pursuit of short-term financial gains.
However, the long-term effects have been devastating, depleting soil nutrients and contaminating water sources.
Farmers like Hadi are rejecting these outdated methods, instead using organic pesticides, composting, and regenerative farming practices to rebuild soil fertility and biodiversity.
Agricultural consultant, Wissam Hourani, a PhD holder in agrochemistry, is supporting farmers in shifting away from reliance on foreign imports.
Decades of industrialization and global trade led to Lebanon becoming dependent on imported seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, reducing local farms’ self-sufficiency.
During crises, supply chain disruptions leave farmers struggling to access essential resources, making food sovereignty a national concern.
Hybrid seeds, widely used in Lebanon, contribute to this issue as they do not reproduce for future planting, forcing continued reliance on international suppliers.
Efforts to counteract this dependence include initiatives like Buzuruna Juzuruna, a collective co-founded by Serge Harfouche, which promotes heirloom seed varieties.
These traditional seeds, unlike hybrid ones, allow farmers to maintain self-sustaining agricultural cycles.
During the war, the collective provided farmers with heirloom seeds, natural fertilizers, and sustainable pesticides to ensure continued food production despite import restrictions.
With over 1,000 types of seedlings, the organization has the capacity to supply Lebanon’s entire arable land with sustainable crop varieties.
The revival of heirloom seeds is not just an agricultural mission but an act of cultural and emotional resistance.
Milou Helou, a 27-year-old member of the Da’ira Collective, has worked alongside others to revive 39 heirloom seed varieties.
Milou sees sustainable agriculture as a means of reconnecting with the land, countering the detachment caused by capitalism and consumerism.
By adopting eco-friendly practices, young Lebanese farmers are fostering self-sufficiency and resisting external control over their food sources.
Education plays a critical role in sustaining these efforts. Buzuruna Juzuruna actively teaches farmers the benefits of heirloom seeds and agroecology, ensuring knowledge is shared across Lebanon.
Similarly, the Jafra Foundation for Relief and Youth Development focuses on empowering Palestinian refugees through agriculture.
Many younger Palestinians in Lebanon’s camps have little experience with farming due to displacement, making food sovereignty an urgent issue.
Jafra provides tools and training to help refugees grow crops in limited spaces, using rooftops and balconies for cultivation.
As Lebanon grapples with food insecurity and agricultural challenges, the movement toward sustainable farming is gaining momentum.
Youth-led initiatives are not only rebuilding farmlands but also reclaiming national food sovereignty and preserving agricultural traditions.
By prioritizing local resources, promoting organic practices, and educating future generations, Lebanese farmers are sowing the seeds of a resilient and self-sufficient future.