Dairy Production Unit

Started in 1998

Partners

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Greek Embassy

Objectives

Train and inform breeders about modern milk processing methods.

Process and commercialize the milk collected from farmers under a unified quality label.

Insure supplementary income for the farmers.

Diversify milk processing.

Establish a direct link between the farmer and the market (limit the middle-men who receive comissions)

Beneficiaries

93 farmers

Description

An agreement with stockbreeders and members of cooperatives stipulates that milk is bought at 20% above the market price, and provision of technical assistance is ensured in return for their abidance to strict quality requirements. The tested milk is then processed into yogurt, labneh, and seven traditional types of cheese and commercialized under the brand name "MARJ". The use of production techniques that conform to standards of quality has had a positive impact on small local production units that have progressively adopted them.

Four tons of milk was converted per day in 2004, compared to one ton per day in 1998.

The “MARJ” products are distributed by the Fresco company to about 140 supermarkets, hotels and caterers such as: Monoprix, Caliprix, La Cigale, Aziz, l’Escale, Hawa Chicken, Ehden Country Club, Grand Hills Village, Abchi Hotel, Emilton Hotel, etc.

Activities conducted in 2010: Educational visits & trainings >>

Activities conducted in 2011: Educational visits, trainings and thesis >>

 
The MARJ Products