About
Crop production department as a brief description perform a research on all kind of open field crops, but with different objectives according to farmers needs and region compatibility.
Previously crop production department supported farmers with sugar beet, potato and wheat in cooperation with ministry of agriculture; and did many experiments on feed crops (colza, sunflower, maize) alternative crops (hemp), oily crops (maize, sunflower).
Crop production department since 2007 till now is working on conservation agriculture technique (Introducing new agricultural practices for winter crops using conservation agriculture or “zero- till” and compare it with traditional one regarding yield and quality) , introducing new varieties of winter chickpea to farmers to rotate it with their crops, continuing with potato trials according to Ministry of Agriculture decision( New varieties of potato tubers that is imported yearly to be tested at LARI station and farmers’ fields for 3 successive years , concerning quality, yield and diseases control ; to be later on registered at the MOA ).
Also working on new varieties of winter chickpea in order to improve farmer’s income and to enlarge the rotation. Moreover, introducing to the farmers a new varieties of durum wheat to yield a high standard quality end product of “Frikkeh” which can be competitive at the regional and international market.
Staff
- Eng.Chafik Estephan - Head of Crop production Department (cstephan@lari.gov.lb)
- Eng.Rasha Moussawi