Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri ordered a government survey of recent major losses by tobacco farmers in south Lebanon’s Rmeish, as a virus-ridden summer harvest season threatens their primary source of income.
The Lebanese High Relief Committee, which distributes funds during emergencies, will conduct a study on this year’s disappointing tobacco season, following “damage to tobacco seedlings by viruses caused by climate change, and material losses to farmers,” according to a statement released by Hariri’s press office.
The statement did not provide details on the exact value of the losses incurred in this summer’s harvest in Rmeish.
Tobacco is a main source of income for thousands of families in south Lebanon, where the particular soil type makes it difficult to plant other types of crops.
The survey was projected to start mid next week, the state-run National News Agency reported, following a visit by Lebanese Forces officials this week to Rmeish, where they were briefed on recent losses.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
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