Professional Training and Integrated Rural Development - North Lebanon

Duration
January 2003 - December 2005

Donor
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Italian Cooperation

Co-financing partners
MOVIMONDO

Beneficiaries
40 stockbreeders of the dairy cooperative of Zgharta.
Cooperative of olive growers in the Batroun region.

Description

The objective of this project is to offer technical assistance and professional training to producers in North Lebanon. In 2003-2004, the following activities were carried out:

Organic production: a mechanism has been put in place with a certification institute, for certification prior to the commercialization of products. Experimental land parcels for the production of fruits and vegetables have been prepared and other pilot parcels have been selected in association with the cooperatives of the region. In addition to punctual technical assistance, trainings on the methods of organic farming are provided to farmers.

Olive cultivation: a technical assistance system has been established to support olive growers in adopting innovative and eco-sustainable agricultural practices. This is carried out through a monitoring system for olive flies, to insure Integrated Pest Management in Zgharta and Batroun. 300 producers benefited from field visits, technical assistance regarding harvesting techniques, the publication and distribution of a calendar describing olive agricultural techniques and olive oil quality.

Mechanization: The existing services have been reinforced thanks to the construction of an hangar of 180 m2 for tractors maintenance and the acquisition of new equipments.

Dairy production: Improvement of the transportation services of milk products through the acquisition of a refrigerated van and trials for goat cheese production.