MACFRUT 2026: Agricultural innovation as a driver of stability in the Mediterranean

The event “Cultivating Cooperation”, a significant forum for discussion held as part of AICS Beirut’s participation in the MACFRUT 2026 trade fair, took place yesterday afternoon.
The meeting was opened by the Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Marco Riccardo Rusconi, who emphasized the crucial role of agricultural innovation as a driver of stability and growth for the entire region.
The presence of Lebanon’s Minister of Agriculture, Nizar Hani, and Syria’s Minister of Agriculture, Amjad Bader, at the speakers’ table confirmed the central role of Italian agricultural diplomacy. The debate highlighted how AICS’s technical support and development programs are strengthening the resilience of rural communities and facilitating local producers’ access to international markets.
The discussion benefited from contributions by Liana De Rosa, Director of AICS Beirut; Gloria Abou Zeid, Director General of Cooperatives at the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture; and the John Paul II Foundation. Their involvement allowed for a deeper exploration of the value of cooperatives as an essential tool for producer aggregation, resource sharing, and the streamlining of local supply chains.
The exchange underscored how forming cooperatives represents a fundamental lever for agricultural innovation and social stability, consolidating AICS’s commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable production systems in the Mediterranean.