CEDARS project -
Improvement of Forage Production and its Usage

Duration
September 2002 - September 2005

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

Implementing Partners
Cooperatives of Wadi Khaled, Tall Abbass, Zgharta, and Koura.

Description
Forage costs twice as much in the Bekaa than in the North and transportation costs are high. This project was the first to promote forage plantations and increase forage production in the North, and to create new plantations in the Akkar region.

The project was of great benefit to both forage cooperatives and breeders since the costs were reduced for breeders. In addition, the use of forage is more nutritive for goats, cattle, etc. and increases milk yield.

Objectives
Training of breeders in new techniques involving forage use
Reduction of the cost of animal feed
Improvement of health conditions of herds
Increasing the income of small and medium-sized farms, and creating job opportunities
Creation of an experimental area for university students
Creation of a new culture of forage use and integration of new expertise and technology in the North and in Akkar.
Training of cooperatives.
Creation of an association of breeders and farmers capable of managing all relationships and projects.

Activities undertaken
Production of alfalfa, corn silage, rye-grass and winter crops in order to ensure continuous production throughout the year.
Workshops and seminars for breeders on the benefits and methods of using forage to feed animals.
Marketing forage products and establishing links between and among forage farmers and stockbreeders.
Research and studies on forage in cooperation with L'Université Saint Esprit Kaslik (USEK).

Achievements
As of April 2005, over 400 hectars produced more than 12 tons of forage and 21 new jobs were created.

Upon the completion of this project (September 2005), in addition to the objectives and activities mentioned above, two silos with a capacity of 400 tons each, an administrative and a training facility, and a vacuum packing and sealing line were established. The packing and sealing line allowed for ensilage forage to be vacuum-packed in 50 kg packs, making it easier on small farmers to transport, and increasing its storage period.

The Forage Production Expansion project, part of the CEDRASplus program, was established for the period from February 2006 to November 2007 to continue and expand on the successful achievements of the project Improvement of Forage Production and its Usage detailed above.