LEBANON - Lebanon’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Nizar Hani, has issued a decision to form a sectoral committee tasked with organizing and overseeing the traditional Lebanese food products sector.

This move aims to strengthen the added value of national production and preserve the country’s culinary heritage.

The committee will be chaired by the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Louis Lahoud, and is part of a broader ministerial vision to enhance the competitiveness of this vital sector in both local and international markets.

According to the ministry, the committee brings together representatives from various ministries and public administrations, universities, professional syndicates, economic bodies, and civil society organizations. A representative from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization will participate as an observer, ensuring a comprehensive and participatory approach to sector development.

The committee’s mandate includes proposing the necessary legislation and regulatory frameworks, developing a mechanism to survey and classify traditional products, identifying geographical indications and appellations of origin, and establishing a national database for local goods.

It will also prepare a support plan for traditional agro-industries and work to strengthen the resilience of rural communities.

The Ministry of Agriculture said the initiative falls within a strategic vision to safeguard Lebanon’s food identity and boost the competitiveness of its traditional products at home and abroad.