Government to support private sector grain producers in south, including centre-pivot irrigation projects

Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabiba held a meeting last Tuesday at his Tripoli Cabinet Office with Acting Minister of Economy and Trade, Suhail Abu Shiha, in the presence of the directors of departments in the ministry and the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, to follow up and support local production of grain, specifically in southern Libya, and to organize the distribution of urea fertilizer produced by the state Libyan Fertilizer Company.

Support private sector grain farmers in south
During the meeting, Aldabaiba stressed the need to support the private sector at all levels, including farmers, especially in the production of wheat and barley in southern Libya, considering that the return of agricultural centre-pivot irrigation systems to work and production by the private sector must be matched by interest and encouragement from the Ministry of Economy.

Locally produced urea to be distributed to farmers
Aldabaiba also directed the need to organize the distribution of urea fertilizer produced by the state Libyan Fertilizer Company, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, to cover the needs of the local market, to reach all farmers and to prevent its smuggling to neighbouring countries.

Power cuts in south preventing centre-pivot irrigation systems from restarting
Abu Shiha presented the ministry’s plan to follow up and support local production in all fields, adding that coordination is underway with wheat and barley farmers to benefit from their production and provide the necessary facilities to increase and improve production, stressing the role of electricity stability in activating the centre-pivot irrigation systems and increasing their production.

Food security post Ukraine war
The move by the Aldabaiba government is seen as part of its policy on improved food security borne out of the hike in grain prices that affected local bread prices following the Ukraine war.

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