Page 31 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Libya

fruitful cooperation with all national agricultural transformation towards Agriculture and Livestock, Libya Re-
partners and underlined that the food security. mote Sensing and Space Science and
MerWat-Libya Geospatial Platform is The core team of national institu- Fezzan, concluded the formal launch
now operational as a national infor- tions, including the Ministry of Water of the MerWat-Libya Geospatial Plat-
mation platform. It supports sustain- Resources, the Ministry of Agricul- form. Looking forward, the MerWat-
able land and water management ture and Livestock, and the Libyan Libya Geospatial Platform aims to
by providing access to information Remote Sensing and Space Science, integrate emerging technologies,
on crop and water use and sustain- presented, approved and signed expand data resources, and enhance
able practices. This is a significant user experiences. This commitment
step forward in water, agriculture a partnership and collaboration to innovation is expected to foster
and environmental management in agreement for the Libyan Geospatial sustainable agricultural practices,
Libya,” said M. A.Maki, adding that Platform to ensure its sustainability. improve water resource manage-
the platform is embedded in FAO’s A visit to the offices hosting the ment, and contribute to Libya’s en-
open-access Hand in Hand (HIH) platform, including the Ministry of vironmental and economic develop-
for evidence-based acceleration of Water Resources, the Ministry of ment.

Below-average cereal production estimated in 2024

Cereal production in 2024 is estimated at 164 000 tonnes,
about 22 percent below the average, reflecting rainfall
deficits, high temperatures in northwestern coastal areas
and high prices of inputs, limiting cereal yields
Localized conflicts and early winter floods dampen
2025 cereal production
Localized conflicts, particularly in southwestern and
northwestern regions, continue to disrupt agricultural
activities and supplies. According to the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) , the conflict
has forced many farmers to abandon their land, with
damaged irrigation systems and parched fields limiting
food production capacity. Insecurity is also weakening
the country’s ability to manage climate-related shocks,
such as droughts and floods, which are compounding
the impacts on agriculture. Additionally, according to
the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the capacity to import is highly driven by revenues from oil
Western Region (CLCPRO) , Libya faced a severe locust exports, a key source of foreign currency.
infestation in early 2025, further undermining crop yields
and food security. Furthermore, heavy rains in December Inflation rate increased gradually in 2024
2024 and January 2025, especially in the northwestern The inflation rate increased gradually in 2024, reaching
key cereal producing region, are likely to hamper yield 2.3 percent in December 2024, up from 1.8 percent in
prospects for 2025 winter crops. Heavy precipitation December 2023. The annual food inflation rate hovered
amounts submerged infrastructure, causing power at 3.5 percent in December 2024, driven by increases in
outages and disruptions in internal movements. Referring fresh fruits, dairy products, eggs and cereals prices.
to earth observation data, as of February 2025, biomass is
below the average in the northwestern region. Inflows of refugees persist in 2025
Cereal import requirements in 2024/25 marketing According to the United Nations High Commissioner for
year forecast slightly above average Refugees (UNHCR), as of mid February 2025, about 240
Cereal import requirements for the 2024/25 marketing 000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in the country since
year (July/June) are forecast at above average 3.2 million April 2023. The significant flow of Sudanese refugees is
tonnes. Wheat imports, which account for a large portion increasing the local demand for basic services, including
of total cereal imports, are forecast at 1.4 million tonnes, health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), cash, food
about 4 percent above the average. The country’s and shelter.
Arab Agriculture 2025 29