As part of the Regie’s efforts to develop Virginia tobacco cultivation in Akkar and the Bekaa, agricultural expert Douglas Oliver Narway and George Varsos, owner of Vencon Varsos, conducted preliminary experiments on the new fermentation chamber recently installed at the Regie’s Tripoli branch.
The chamber processes raw tobacco and dries it before manufacturing.
A Regie team took part in the experiments, which were conducted by the Agriculture and Purchasing Departments in Northern Lebanon and the Bekaa region, the Northern Lebanon Branch Department, the Tobacco Technology Department, the Manufacturing Department, and the Central Equipment Maintenance Department, under the supervision of technical consultant Eng. Salah Zeidan.
Narway and Varsos also carried out field visits to agricultural lands in northern Lebanon and the Bekaa, where they provided farmers with guidance and agricultural advice to help improve the cultivation of Virginia tobacco in the future.
The two experts will submit a report on the results of the experiments, comprising details relating to the technical processes as well as recommendations for the upcoming agricultural season. This report aims to align Virginia tobacco cultivation in Lebanon with international best practices.