Recommendations of the Ministry of Agriculture to rationalize water consumption in irrigation

Within the framework of the National Agricultural Guidance Program, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the launch of a national campaign to rationalize water consumption in irrigation, with the aim of enhancing sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring the continuity of agricultural production in Lebanon, due to the decline in rainfall rates this season and climate challenges that affect the sector.

The Ministry urged all farmers to adopt modern methods and technologies in water management, to ensure the optimal use of water resources and reduce waste, especially under the current climatic conditions. In this context, the Ministry recommended the following practices:

– Control the quantities of water used in irrigation:

* Determine the actual needs of each crop according to the type of soil and climatic conditions.

* Adopting modern irrigation techniques, especially drip irrigation, to ensure water consumption efficiency.

* Use water measurement devices to monitor consumption and achieve accurate management of water resources.

Irrigation at the appropriate times:

* Irrigation in the early morning or in the evening after sunset to reduce the proportion of evaporation and maintain the moisture of the soil.

* Avoid irrigation at noon, where temperatures are high, which leads to a loss of large amounts of water without actual use of plants.

* Using Mulching techniques, such as straw and organic materials, to maintain soil moisture and reduce evaporation.

Choose drought crops:

* Cultivation of drought -resistant crops and is able to grow in a limited water.

* Focus on short cycle crops that require less water.

* Consulting agricultural experts to choose the most appropriate crops for each region according to the available rain and soil rates.

Improving soil quality to conserve water:

* Applying the transplant technology without plowing (No-Till Farming) to maintain soil moisture and reduce corrosion.

* Add organic matter, such as natural compost, to enhance the soil’s ability to keep water and improve its fertility.

Balanced fertilizer management:

* The use of fertilizers in balanced and studied quantities, as excessive fertilization leads to an increase in water consumption and negatively affects the quality of the soil.

Encourage household salivary agriculture:

* Expanding the cultivation of rainy crops that depend on rainwater, such as tomatoes and the rest, which reduces the need for artificial irrigation.

An invitation to farmers to participate and cooperate

The Ministry of Agriculture, the farmers, declared the necessity of adhering to these recommendations and adopting sustainable agricultural methods that ensure the continuation of agricultural production despite the challenges of water scarcity. It also called on all farmers to participate effectively in training courses and workshops that organize them in the Lebanese regions, with the aim of providing them with the necessary information and guidance on the latest irrigation and water management technologies. She emphasized that the success of these efforts depends on close cooperation between the concerned authorities and farmers, in a manner that ensures the sustainability of water resources and the promotion of food security in Lebanon.