The project “Enhancement of the Olive Oil Sector in Lebanon” in collaboration with the CHF International was concluded by a closing ceremony at the CAN (Agricultural center of the North) in Mejdlaya during which agricultural equipments were distributed to many cooperatives.

The event took place in the presence of Mrs Nayla Moawad, President of the René Moawad Foundation, Mr.Ghassan Jammous, the representative of the USAID in Lebanon, Mr. Nabil Moawad, the Director of the Agricultural Sector at the RMF, Mr. Talal El Hajj Hassan, the representative of CHF International in Lebanon, Presidents of municipalities and cooperatives in the Caza of Zgharta, many beneficiaries and of the RMF staff.

The project financed by the USAID under the CEDARSplus Program aimed at improving the olive oil quality and storage, orienting olive farmers to modern techniques of olive growing , harvesting collecting and storing as well as enhancing and enabling farmers to have access to a broader market and be in a better position to market their produce.

Mrs. Nayla Moawad welcomed the attendance and thanked all the persons who contributed to the success of the project.

She praised the efforts, energy and support of Mr. Janmous to each project. She also drew attention to the efforts made that reflect the needs of development in many parts of Lebanon, especially the North and particularly the region of Akkar.

We are here today to evaluate the CEDARSplus program which has been successful thanks to the support and collaboration of municipalities and agricultural cooperatives”.

“As long as we work with transparency and objectivity we would be able to benefit from projects awarded by the U.S. agency for development which will benefit the entire Lebanese people.” She also added.

Mr. Nabil Moawad, talked about the achievements of this project (2006-2008). He said that this project has helped to improve methods of storage of olive oil by creating tasting panel rooms and an olive oil storage facility. More than 20,000 olive trees were planted and 5 olive presses were rehabilitated and modernized.

He thanked international experts who trained local farmers in the region on modern methods of production to offer the best types of olive oil in terms of quality and quality control.

He noted that this project has helped more than 7,000 farmers who benefited from the services and the agricultural trainings that were provided.

Mr. Ghassan Jammous stressed on the positive performance of this project in this region saying that the US agency for development is proud to grant loans for such beneficial and useful realizations to Lebanese people.

Mr. Talal El Hajj Hassan spoke about the joint projects implemented with the RMF that aim at strengthening the Lebanese citizen’s capacities to cope with his difficulties and improve his economic and social conditions.

Prizes were offered to Mrs. Nayla Moawad, Mr. Nabil Moawad, and to the representatives of the USAID and CHF in Lebanon by the presidents of cooperatives.

The ceremony ended with the distribution of equipment to 12 agricultural cooperatives.