Lebanon03 April, 20261 min read
Israeli Bombing Devastates Southern Lebanon Agriculture, Farmers Abandon Lands
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Israeli bombardments devastate southern Lebanon farms, causing severe field losses. Many farmers abandoned land due to ongoing fighting and proximity to Israeli tanks.
Agriculture in Crisis
The agricultural sector in southern Lebanon is at the brink of collapse due to Israeli bombardment. 35,000 hectares of cultivated land have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli strikes.
Farmers are abandoning their lands as crops lie unharvested and equipment is ruined. White phosphorus strikes have been documented on a dairy farm, adding to environmental hazards.
Economic Toll
The agricultural sector employs approximately 18% of Lebanon’s workforce. The World Bank estimated losses at around $742 million.
Local cooperatives are providing emergency assistance but access is limited. Before the conflict, Lebanon produced about 30-35% of its own food needs.
Farmers and Communities Suffer
The human impact on farming communities is severe. Ramzi, a 53-year-old farmer, had to evacuate after repeated strikes near his home.
More than 10% of Lebanon’s arable land had been rendered unusable by early March. Red zone evacuation orders forcibly displaced thousands during critical planting periods.