Some hope for the farmers of the South and the Bekaa

From international sponsoring to local partnership, some Lebanese food processing cooperatives are stepping up confidently towards greater autonomy. Equipment and training are provided to farmers to facilitate the task.

From international sponsoring to local partnership, some Lebanese food processing cooperatives are stepping up confidently towards greater autonomy. Equipment and training are provided to farmers to facilitate the task.

Malak Akil - Beirut, Eurojar

In some rural Lebanese areas, where people feel the urge to migrate to the capital looking for job opportunities, a glimmer of hope persists. This pessimistic image, drawn by some people, can change gradually. A project intended for the “development of competitiveness in favor of marginalized producers and those affected by war” is the main catalyst for change in this field. Funded by the European Union, and supported by the Italian «Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria Onlus» (ICU), and the local partner Caritas, the project constitutes a tangible opportunity for the people of the South and the Bekaa to remain in their lands and take advantage from the natural resources available to them. This window of opportunity insures a sufficient income to local producers, which helps put an end to migration towards urban zones or outside the country.

Signed in May 2007, the project was launched in January 2008, and will end in May 2010. Head of project, Claudio Errighi explains that the goal of the project is to help farmers and cooperatives develop the quality of their products. He goes on to say that the EU is working hand in hand with farmers, from the cultivation stage to marketing. The project aims at assisting producers in managing their production, while sharing with them the EU expertise. With the help the EU is offering them, farmers can gradually reach a point of autonomy and count on their own capacities from A to Z.

The total budget of the project is 1,029 million Euros (ICU and Caritas are providing 30% of the cost and the European Union the remaining 70%). This project benefits two centers in Deir El Ahmar (Bekaa) and Bint Jbeil (in the South). Claudio Errighi notes that a workshop for Caritas in Deir el Ahmar, managed by a group of women trained according to international standards, was equipped with a laboratory to control quality and production. A number of machines to produce jam, kishk (yogurt powder) and pickles… have also been acquired. All these were steps towards helping women create their own cooperatives at a later stage. Errighi to add: 20 women market their products today through the association “Intajouna”. These products are sold in all branches of “Le Charcutier Aoun” supermarket in Lebanon. Caritas is supporting in finding the adequate retail outlets for these products and in reducing the cost of transportation, under the supervision of an agricultural engineer and an expert in biochemistry.

Olives, an alternative plantation
The responsible of the socio-economic department in Caritas and head of the project on the local level, May Assaad explains that “the equipment used before were rudimentary. Thanks to the project, machines and techniques were developed and women were trained on agro-industrial techniques. On the other hand, a detailed study has shown an increased demand on olives. This is why we equipped the centre with a big olive mill, and another one for small farmers. The turnout was considerable. Today, we are assisting farmers in olive plantation and the production of higher quality oil, and this as an alternative plantation in an area generally known for the cultivation of hashish. One thousand farmers have already benefitted from this project in different villages in Deir el Ahmar area. On the other hand, 130 tons of olives have already been pressed, without any problem in marketing, due to the high local demand on this product.” Errighi from his side assures that there are some plans that aim at expanding this project to other regions suffering from lack of support.

The problem of the cost
In Bint Jbeil in the South, the aim was to reinforce the capacities of agricultural cooperatives. Since last summer, marketing began in the 13 branches of “Le Charcutier Aoun”. Ain Ebel is today a vegetable plot for olive growing, apiculture, and thyme culture. It also promotes dry-farming and the development of the quality of production. Four cooperatives are concerned by this project, in addition to two women cooperatives in Ain Ebel and Debel, on the basis of a protocol supporting marketing and the development of the quality of products. Errighi notes that the quality is good, yet the main difficulty remains in the high cost of production. He adds that studies have been performed in an effort to find the means to produce at competitive prices, by stocking up on raw materials from closer neighborhoods, or by encouraging farmers to produce the raw material in their own lands.

The service centre in Bint Jbeil advises farmers on the ways of managing, marketing and controlling their production through cooperatives. These products are sold at relatively higher prices due to the fact that they are natural products and due to the repercussions of the world economic crisis.

Fair trade
According to May Assaad, the biggest challenge for a cooperative is to be able to compete with imported products, with equal quality, and integrate the international “fair trade” network. Assaad confesses that marketing products on European markets is not an easy task. Yet, efforts are being exerted to provide members of cooperatives and farmers with a bar code for their products that enables them to freely market those products on local and foreign markets, thanks to a distinctive trademark.

The importance of the project, according to Errighi, resides in the fact that once the role of foreign sponsors ends, the concerned groups can proceed with their work under the supervision of a “local partner” (Caritas), as a prelude to a total autonomy at a later stage.

“At the opening, the centre had only one cooking-pot,” today, Marie Atallah, one of the 20 beneficiary women at Deir El Ahmar centre, explains that they have at their disposal modern equipment furnished by contributors. “We have attended advanced training sessions that allowed us to develop our productions, under the supervision of qualified experts,” she adds.

Today, the products of Marie – jam, pickles, honey... – are sold on the Lebanese market, via the association “Intajouna”. Marie hopes to be able to sell her products on international markets.

Hanaa Younès, head of Debel food-processing cooperative explains:”I started to benefit from the project about a year ago. I attended several training sessions for the management and development of my business.” Hanaa does not fear to suffer a setback once the outside support terminates:”I realize that I have achieved great progress in no time. Today, I can see my products on the market, whereas before, I had hard time marketing them. I am sure that once the support ends, and due to the experience that I have acquired, my cooperative will survive on the local market… and on the international one as well!”

Refer to the projects fact sheets:
Agricultural development (Lebanon)
Agro-Food Vocational Training (Lebanon)