Libya

General Union of Farmers and Breeders

Agriculture in Libya

The climate is a mix between the desert climate and the coastal climate, the more we head south and the hotter it gets, 100km from the sea the climate is desert. The climate is temperate in spring and autumn, hot summers and relatively cold winters, a diversified mainly Mediterranean climate and semi-desert in the north-east. The climate is desert south, very cold in winter, hot in summer and rains are rare. A Green Mountain is totally different in summer temperatures do not exceed 30 degrees and in winter it can get so cold that it snows in some cities.

The desert climate prevails throughout the country with the exception of narrow coastal strip along the Mediterranean Sea (where are the most important cities), and some mountain locations north or south of the country, where the amount of rainfall sufficient growth of natural flora whose intensity and importance vary with the amount of rainfall. In some places rainfall amounts sufficient for growth similar to those of Mediterranean forests evergreen forests, as is the case for Green Mountain.

The location of the tropical and subtropical countries, dominates much of the African land, explains the fact that the difference in temperature from one region to another is not very important, as is the case in regions of high mountains as is the case of Atlas or the Alps, for example. As its coastal areas are not affected by cold ocean currents. The temperature is generally high to very high in summer, except in the coastal strip, green mountain, and the mountain west, and moderate to cold in winter. When you go to the south, away from the influence of the Mediterranean Sea, heat is highest between day and night, summer and winter. The humidity is relatively high at the coastal strip during the months of August and September because of moist winds off the sea; it is very low in the desert because of the sterility of land and removal of marine effects.

The coastline knows two types of winds, which depend on seasons, in summer it is from the southeast then northeast, and in winter it’s north and northwest, and from west and south.

  • The climate is mostly tropical desert dominated by drought due to several factors related to the atmosphere, surface, and geographic location.
  • Libya has no surface freshwater resources and perennial due to the fluctuation of rainfall and the nature of the geological water, water resources are rainwater and groundwater. One study showed that 95% of water comes from groundwater.
  • The problem of lack of water is blocking the achievement of sustainable development. To overcome this deficiency Libya uses 95.6% of groundwater, 2.7%of river water, 1.4% of sweet water and 0.7%of recycled water after treatment. To overcome the problem of water shortage in the coastal strip, one of the biggest projects was carried out at a cost of approximately $ 30 billion، sous le nom de Man-Made River under the name Man-Made River. Nearly 5.5 million cubic meters of water are carried per day from groundwater in the south to the coastal areas t in the north, through 4 stages , and through huge pipelines of 4,040 km network long..

  • Cereal crops: wheat – barley – corn.
  • Legumes – tubers.
  • Chickpeas – Lentils cucumbers.
  • Tomato – Pepper.
  • Cabbage – pumpkin – Eggplant.
  • Watermelons – cantaloupe – potatoes – carrots.
  • Onions – Garlic – Broccoli.
  • Industrial crops like Castor – Peanuts – tobacco.
  • Forage crops such as alfalfa, corn and oats.
  • Fruit trees such as citrus and olive trees – Grapes – figs – almonds – Apricot.
  • Peaches – grenade.
Livestock depends on natural pastures.
  • The most important pasture areas are : the coastal plain and mountainous north for cattle and sheep, while desert areas have breeding camels and goats. And relies mainly on natural herbs that are affected by climate variations.
  • Sheep are the most important livestock in Libya, 5,6 million heads, followed by goats and camels and cows.

The government is making efforts to develop the livestock sector by providing food at reasonable price + import good breeds of cattle and sheep + dig wells in grazing areas to provide water for livestock + take care veterinary medicine.

  • Libya has no surface freshwater resources and perennial due to the fluctuation of rainfall and the nature of the geological water, water resources are rainwater and groundwater. One study showed that 95% of water comes from groundwater.
  • The problem of lack of water is blocking the achievement of sustainable development. To overcome this deficiency Libya uses 95.6% of groundwater, 2.7% of river water 1.4% of sweet water and 0.7%of recycled water after treatment. To overcome the problem of water shortage in the coastal strip, one of the biggest projects was carried out at a cost of approximately $ 30 billion under the name Man-Made River. Nearly 5.5 million cubic meters of water are carried per day from groundwater in the south to the coastal areas t in the north, through 4 stages , and through huge pipelines of 4,040 km network long.
  • Several desalination small and medium capacity plants were created to reach 700 million cubic meters per year. Work is underway to create a huge desalination of seawater in other cities.

192000 Union members received the booklet farms.

Agricultural production is developing towards self-sufficiency.
Diversified agricultural production :

  • Cereals occupy : 65% of the area planted en with wheat and barley, especially in the coastal plain, the northern mountains and oases. Production remains volatile depending on climatic conditions.
  • Planting trees : especially in the coastal plains olives and palms in the oases and rivers , and citrus in Tripoli and Zawiya.
  • Vegetables : spread around cities and oases.
  • Industrial crops : such as tobacco and peanuts.

The inability to achieve self-sufficiency in food needs, imposes the necessity to import : wheat, sugar and milk.