Farmers in Ireland have much to contend with.

Commodity prices, input costs, weather, TB, and regulations are just some of the daily concerns to be managed.

However, these issues pale in comparison with farmers trying to live and work in theatres of conflict.

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Lebanon is currently once again enduring conflict, as Israel moves into its northern neighbour.

A fertile land and an ancient civilisation, the people of Lebanon have endured regular conflict throughout history.

The country has been independent since 1943, but has been invaded by Syria and Israel and under the influence, some would say control, of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia for decades.

In the midst of this, the 200,000 farmers and farm workers in Lebanon have tried to mind their livestock and nurture their trees and crops.

On 16 March, as Ireland wandered through a Monday on the eve of our national holiday, southern Lebanon once again became a theatre of conflict, as Israel escalated military action against Hezbollah.

The Irish Farmers Journal spoke to Hussein Fawaz, who is a municipal representative who has overseen projects for and with Lebanese farmers for many years.

Hussein lives in Tibnin, in south Lebanon, which is where Irish soldiers have been stationed as part of the United Nations peacekeeping operation since 1978.

That operation will end with the turn of the year. Ali Fawaz, who works as an interpreter with UNIFIL, assisted Hussein in telling his story.

Destroyed

“Since October 2023, (following the Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis) everything just went down in terms of projects and investment because of fear of war,” Hussein explained.

“There first was a 66-day war, which started in September 2024, and now we have the second war since March.

“In south Lebanon, about 25% of agricultural land is now either completely destroyed or unreachable,” he continued.

“It’s mainly olive trees that have taken the most damage, because olive trees are the dominant crop, and the olive harvest is vital for farmers.

“On the coast, you have citrus, banana and avacado trees. These are important for incomes as the fruit is exported. Watermelons, potatoes, and grain are also planted.

“These crops are now destroyed or untended, and tens of thousands of farmers and farmworkers have been displaced,” Hussein added.