The Lebanese Center for Agricultural Research and Studies (CREAL) is a Scientific Institution devoted to agriculture and rural development as well as environment preservation.
Its mission is to study the Lebanese agricultural sector and to act for its development. To reach this target, CREAL covers in a continuous and rigorous way all social, economic, political and agronomical aspects of the agriculture in all regions of the Republic of Lebanon.
Initially, CREAL evolved from the philosophy and the scientific heritage of Agriculture Engineer, Fouad Saadé, whose pioneering activity profoundly marked the Lebanese and Syrian agriculture during half a century from 1925 till 1975. After this period, the Lebanese war inflicted serious damages and huge losses in the agricultural sector which suffered from a dangerous scientific vacuum. It was in the early eighties that Dr. Riad Saadé planned the establishment of a reliable scientific institution to cover global and specific aspects of Lebanese agriculture, and whose output could be used by consultants, students, researchers, and authorities at local and international levels.
Since 1994, data processing was fully computerized at CREAL. This extended the spectrum of services offered by CREAL. In 2006 a complete review of CREAL’s IT Software beneficiated of 12 years of experience and allowed a more performing activity.
Ever since 1951, Fouad Saadé followed by Riad Fouad Saadé yearly published the “Annual Report on Lebanese Agricultural Production”. This Report has become the reference for any person concerned by the Lebanese agricultural sector.
CREAL is also requested to consult by International Organizations, regional and local governments, as well as Private Sector Companies.
Between 1978, and 1996, CREAL became the official source of information on the Lebanese Agriculture sector for the Lebanese Public Administrations and International Organizations. It is still today the sole source of agricultural statistics used by the Lebanese Republic Central Administration of Statistics, reporting to the President of the Council of Ministers.