The Third Libyan Farmers Forum, organized by the General Farmers Syndicate, took place in Al-Marj on Saturday. The event brought together various stakeholders, including parliament member Saeed Asbaga, Ali Makail Al-Khuzaali, dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Omar Al-Mukhtar University, and representatives from the Agricultural Institute. The forum aimed to discuss pressing issues facing the agricultural sector in Libya.
Discussions at the forum centered on the situation of agricultural units and farms governed by Law No. 123, the provision of grains and farming equipment, and the activation of the agricultural bank. Participants also highlighted the need for a steady supply of fertilizers and pesticides. The challenges facing the sector, including problems with agricultural land and access to production inputs, were also addressed.
The forum's final statement called for urgent reporting and referral of assaults against farmers and their agricultural units to the relevant authorities and public prosecution. This move aims to ensure timely action and protection of rights. The statement also noted that judicial authorities carried out eviction operations in 2024 and 2025 to remove encroachments from farms subject to Law No. 123.
However, these eviction operations were suspended due to other interventions. The forum urged a review of the reasons for this halt and holding those responsible accountable. Participants also called for the resumption of evictions and the return of farms to their lawful owners according to official plans and maps.
The uninterrupted implementation of all relevant legal procedures was also emphasized. Hashem Al-Awkli, executive director of the Al-Yusr Charitable Foundation, urged farmers, specialists, and officials to participate in a national awareness campaign. The campaign aims to promote early detection and prevention of diseases affecting fruit trees in Green Mountain municipalities.
Al-Awkli explained that the campaign seeks to raise farmers' awareness of these diseases and early detection methods. This would help curb the spread, protect agricultural production, and maintain yields. He stressed the need for cooperation among farmers, specialists, and academia, along with more field monitoring of farms.
Participants at the forum emphasized the importance of resolving obstacles that hinder agricultural stability, supporting farmers to continue production, and improving agricultural services. They also called for clear mechanisms to protect agricultural land and property rights, strengthen food security, and support the national economy.
Key points
- The Libyan Farmers Forum calls for urgent action to address land challenges and production needs in the agricultural sector.
- The forum urges the resumption of eviction operations to remove encroachments from farms subject to Law No. 123.
- A national awareness campaign aims to promote early detection and prevention of diseases affecting fruit trees in Green Mountain municipalities.
