With the closure of a major land crossing earlier this year due to the Syrian war, the Lebanese economy, and farmers in particular, took a devastating blow.
Lebanon Export Lifeline
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Workers at a farm in the Bekaa, one of the country’s most crucial farming regions, Sept., 2015. (John Owens/VOA)
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The number of agricultural exports is estimated to have dropped 35% in the two months following the closure of the Nassib crossing, Sept., 2015. (John Owens/VOA)
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Though many welcome a $14m subsidy to encourage exporting by sea, even those behind it admit it is not a long-term, sustainable solution, Sept., 2015. (John Owens/VOA)
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Though the closure of the Nassib border has impacted many industries in Lebanon, the agricultural sector has been particularly badly hit, Sept., 2015. (John Owens/VOA)