CEDARSplus program -
Forage Production Expansion project

Duration
February 2006 - November 2007

Funding Partners
Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF)
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Implementing Partners
15 Cooperatives serving 20 villages in the regions of Akkar, Zgharta, Koura, and Batroun in North Lebanon.

Description
Based on the successful results of the Improvement of Forage Production and its Usage project under the CEDARS program, the present project, part of CEDARSplus is expanding the project in the Akkar region and increasing the scope of activities and the beneficiaries.

The project's aim, is to encourage the planting of forage crops by providing assistance about the technical know how of proper forage crop production. The program is establishing a proper transformation and processing center for the packaging of forage in sterile conditions. This center will also be equipped with appropriate silage machinery and bags that will be accessible to the cooperatives in Akkar. The project's activities will be complemented with extension services and training sessions for dairy farmers on crop production, crop fertilization, using new forage varieties in feeding dairy cows, and other issues.

The project will also be linked to the Virtual Central Market (implemented under CEDARS program and carried on under CEDARSplus) that will access market outlets both locally and internationally.

Objectives
Expanding forage production in the North.
Providing high quality animal feed for livestock.
Enhancing soil fertility conditions.
Introducing new varieties of forage crops with a wider genetic base.
Producing small package silage under vacuum packing techniques.
Providing farmers with extension services on proper crop production, crop fertilization, and using new forage varieties for livestock feed.
Providing technical support and follow-up to local farmers throughout the planting, harvesting and marketing of forage crops.
Organizing training sessions, workshops and seminars for farmers, livestock keepers, and other stakeholders.

Activities
Establishing a pilot forage planting plot to demonstrate and introduce new, improved, cost-effective, and efficient techniques of variety selection, planting, growing, and harvesting.
Introducing farmers and dairy farmers to new improved varieties of forage crops. 
Providing a fully automated packaging line of silage under vacuum conditions.
Conducting training sessions and workshops on new varieties, cultivation, harvest techniques, and processing techniques to farmers and other stakeholders.
Providing seeds for new forage varieties at reduced prices to farmers.
Providing small packaged silage to dairy farmers at lower prices than the market.
Providing technical support and follow-up to local farmers throughout the planting and harvesting.
Ensuring the application of improved agricultural techniques to reduce production costs and increase output.

Expected Results
15 cooperatives of forage and dairy farmers introduced to forage plantation.
Income of 200 forage farmers will increased by 30%.
200 dairy farmers will benefit from reduced prices of forage by 30%.
75 new jobs created.
600 hectares planted with forage crops.
1,000 farmers introduced to new and improved forage crops.
200 farmers trained on proper forage plantation.
300 dairy farmers trained on proper uses of forage crops.
25,000 tons of forage produced and sold through new and strengthened market outlets.
Production linked to Virtual Central Market.