In a move described as a “decisive step toward economic recovery and food security,” joint parliamentary committees on Tuesday approved a bill allowing Lebanon to sign a $200 million loan agreement with the World Bank (WB) to fund the Green Agri-Food Transformation for Economic Recovery (GATE) program.
Backed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Minister Nizar Hani, the GATE project is a cornerstone of Lebanon’s national agricultural strategy for 2026–2035. The initiative aims to modernize the sector, enhance its resilience against economic and climate-related shocks, and boost productivity and export capacity.
The 24-year concessional loan will be channeled into five key areas:
- $71 million to strengthen agricultural value chains, including subsidies for farmers and cooperatives, and training in sustainable practices.
- $51 million to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through subsidized loans of up to $400,000.
- $100 million for upgrading rural infrastructure, such as agricultural roads, irrigation systems and market facilities.
- $21 million for institutional reform, digitalization, food safety, traceability and legislative improvements.
- $8 million to promote transparency, raise public awareness and combat child labor.
The program is set to benefit approximately 80,000 farmers through digital tools, preserve 22,000 jobs and create an estimated 2,200 new positions in the sector. Additionally, 15,000 farmers will be trained in climate-smart agriculture, 700 will receive direct financial support and 390 SMEs will be granted aid. Over 110 municipalities are expected to see their agricultural capacities reinforced.
Other targets include the vaccination of 9,900 head of livestock and improved water access for 17,000 farmers.
“This loan is a lifeline,” Minister Hani declared. “It lays the foundations for a resilient, competitive, export-oriented and environmentally friendly agriculture.”
The project is slated to begin no later than July 4, 2025.
Comments