LEBANON - Germany and Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture launched a new €12 million project on Monday aimed at promoting climate-smart agriculture, creating employment opportunities and strengthening agricultural skills in Lebanon.
The project, titled “Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains,” is financed through the German Development Bank (KfW) on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
It will be implemented in the Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, South Lebanon and Nabatieh, with a focus on improving agricultural production and livelihoods in communities affected by economic difficulties, conflict and climate-related pressures.
Support for Farmers and Agricultural Infrastructure
Lebanon’s Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani said projects of this kind contribute to the ministry’s strategy and strengthen the country’s agricultural sector through cooperation with international partners.
The project is expected to create around 6,000 temporary jobs and benefit approximately 4,000 farmers through the rehabilitation of agricultural land and infrastructure.
It will also provide farmers with access to training and practical learning opportunities aimed at improving their knowledge and skills, particularly in sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices.
According to Uta Simon, head of development cooperation at the German Embassy in Beirut, Germany has supported Lebanon’s agricultural sector during recent crises because of its role in food security, employment and economic recovery.
More than 1,200 farmers will receive training and participate in practical learning activities under the project.
Climate-Smart and Sustainable Practices
The initiative will establish eight demonstration fields where farmers can test and exchange knowledge on agroecological and climate-smart agricultural practices.
The fields will focus particularly on the sustainable management of soil and water, allowing farmers to gain practical experience with approaches designed to improve agricultural resilience amid climate-related pressures.
The project will combine employment opportunities with improvements to agricultural infrastructure and capacity-building activities, according to its implementing partners.
Supporting Women-Led Initiatives
The project will also include measures aimed at increasing women’s economic participation in agricultural value chains.
Four women-led initiatives will receive support to improve agricultural and food-processing facilities as well as shared workspaces.
The support is intended to strengthen women’s participation in agricultural value chains and help create more sustainable income-generating opportunities.
Focus on Rural Livelihoods
Susan Tackenberg, regional director for Lebanon and Syria at Action Against Hunger, said investment in Lebanon’s agricultural sector also supports rural communities and livelihoods.
The project, known as Agro-Jobs, will combine employment, agricultural infrastructure, knowledge and climate-smart practices, with the stated aim of helping vulnerable communities strengthen their livelihoods and resilience.
Tackenberg also noted that the initiative builds on long-term cooperation between Germany and Action Against Hunger in Lebanon and supports priorities identified by the Ministry of Agriculture for strengthening the country’s agricultural sector.
Action Against Hunger is an international humanitarian organisation working in more than 40 countries on programmes related to nutrition, food security and livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene.
In Lebanon, the organisation operates programmes in the Bekaa and South Lebanon, supporting communities affected by crises through initiatives focused on livelihoods, food security, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene.
