The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Directorate of Rural Development and Natural Resources, announced today, Saturday, “the completion of an air control campaign against the insect Leptoglossus sp., which infects fruit-bearing pine forests and causes damage to the cobs and seeds, which has a negative impact on the productivity and economic returns of this vital sector.” The campaign was carried out between August 26 and September 30, 2026, using drones specialized in agricultural spraying, provided as a gift from the People’s Republic of China, as part of the Ministry’s direction towards adopting modern technology and integrated management of forest pests. The spraying operations included a total area of 1,437 hectares of fruitful pine forests, distributed over four districts: - [Baabda]: 680 hectares. - [Aley] (350 hectares). - [Chouf]: 327 hectares. - [Jezzine] 80 hectares. The Ministry stressed that "the use of drones constitutes a qualitative development in combating forest pests, as it allows precise definition of intervention scopes, control of spraying quantities and distribution, rationalization of the use of pesticides, as well as access to rugged areas and reduction of operational costs compared to previously used helicopters." This technology also allows documenting treated areas and improving monitoring and evaluation processes, within a scientific approach based on accurate diagnosis, timing of intervention according to climatic and technical conditions, and monitoring infection levels and control results in the field. The Ministry explained that "spraying operations stopped at the end of September due to rain and changing weather conditions, while Israeli electronic interference in the southern regions posed an additional challenge, as a result of its impact on the navigation and positioning systems of drones, which hinders the implementation of operations safely and accurately." She stressed, "Continuing evaluation of technical, climatic, and security conditions to complete interventions when appropriate conditions are available." The Ministry of Agriculture stressed that “protecting fruit-bearing pine represents an environmental, economic and social priority, because of this sector’s role in supporting the rural economy and securing incomes for families working in pine production and marketing, in addition to the importance of forests in protecting soil, preserving biodiversity, and enhancing the ability to adapt to climate change.” It called on municipalities and municipal unions to "enhance cooperation with agricultural departments and early reporting of forest infections, allowing preventive intervention and limiting the spread of pests." The Ministry concluded by emphasizing that “the success of control is not measured by the sprayed areas alone, but rather by the decrease in infection levels, the improvement of tree health, and the restoration of their productivity,” stressing “continuing to modernize the forest protection system through technology, scientific monitoring, and sustainable management, in a way that preserves the Lebanese forest wealth and protects national production and the livelihoods of rural communities.”