Dr. Hadi Jaafar Showcases AgSAT at USAID-ARE Event for Water Optimization in Lebanese Fodder Production
Dr. Hadi Jaafar, Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Agriculture at the FAFS, AUB, was invited as a panelist to a dissemination event hosted by the Agriculture and Rural Empowerment (ARE) Activity, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The event, entitled “Resilience and Recovery: Navigating the Dairy Sector in Lebanon Post-2019 Crisis,” took place at the Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand Hotel in Sin el Fil on Friday, May 10, 2024. During the panel, Dr. Jaafar showcased AgSAT to the audience, a smart irrigation technology that can be used to optimize water use for irrigated fodder production in Lebanon.
His contribution was a key component of the event, which aimed to showcase innovative solutions and research findings pertinent to the resilience and recovery of Lebanon’s dairy sector in the aftermath of the 2019 economic crisis. This innovation is particularly crucial for Lebanon, where water resources are increasingly strained, and efficient water management is essential for sustainable agricultural practices. Dr. Jaafar’s participation contributes to ongoing efforts to support the country’s agricultural recovery and long-term sustainability.
The event’s morning session included comprehensive overviews of Lebanon’s livestock feed and dairy sectors, both before and after the 2019 crisis, and highlighted the impact of ARE’s interventions on the alfalfa value chain in the country. The event also featured a panel discussion with experts who deliberated on the prospects of Lebanon’s dairy sector, considering the current challenges and potential solutions, followed by a Q&A session.
