A delegation from the Regie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs visited farmer Samira Kanso in Braiqaa (Nabatieh district) on Thursday, in appreciation of her determination to remain on her land and continue growing tobacco at the height of the latest Israeli war on Lebanon
Initiated by Chairman and General Manager Eng. Nassif Seklaoui and conducted by several Regie officials, the visit also served as a tribute to the resilience of southern Lebanon’s tobacco farmers.
The delegation, which included Agriculture Directorate Head Eng. Jaafar al-Husseini, Leaf Tobacco Manager Eng. Abdel Mawla al-Mawla, Employees and Workers Union President Hossam Shreif, Social Security Office Head Nada Seklaoui, as well as colleagues from Nabatieh and Saida branches, presented Kanso with pesticides and agricultural equipment in recognition of her attachment to her land and continued care for her tobacco crops.
“I never stopped working during the war, despite the drones and warplanes over my head,” Kanso said.
“I stayed, planted, weeded and watered my crops.
I even carried the pesticide sprayer on my back to spray them. God saved me, praise be to Him.”
“I love growing tobacco, and I love my livelihood and my land,” she added.
“Without them, I would die.”