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 Farmers observed the early blooming of banana under the net house Improving Banana Production GROWTH POLE: SAIDA In collaboration with the Hariri Foundation and the Saida EDAC, CHF is implementing a project to 'Improve Banana Production'. This project will improve the quality and quantity of bananas produced in Lebanon , thereby improving the socio-economic status of local banana farmers. The project's objectives are to: . Improve and increase banana production by introducing new varieties of banana and new cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest techniques; . Transfer know-how to local trainers, who in turn will train the farmers; . Reduce production costs of farmers and improve their socio-economic status; and, . Establish a cooperative for banana farmers. The project consists of establishing a demonstration banana farm to introduce farmers to proper production and post-harvest techniques. At the project site, a banana net house totaling 8,024m2 was constructed, which supports banana bunches and protects them from wind and hail. In the net house, banana trees are planted, of the 'Grande Naine' variety, which is known for its high yield, low production costs, tolerance to thermal fluctuations, and the fact that it can be extensively cultivated to meet high market demand and compete with foreign products. In addition, the project includes a ripening, storage and packing facility where farmers and traders are trained and have access to post-harvest treatment. This facility also serves as an extension center, receiving students, farmers, researchers, professional experts, traders and others to broaden and increase the impact. In addition, training sessions and workshops are conducted on proper planting, harvest, and post harvest practices. Banana Ncthouse
Improving the Production of Vegetables using Greenhouses GROWTH POLE: SAIDA In collaboration with the Hariri Foundation (HF) and the Saida EDAC, CHF is implementing this project to strengthen the vegetable production industry in the Saida growth pole. The project's main objectives are to : . Improve the quality and increase production of vegetables by introducing new varieties, and teaching farmers new cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest techniques; . Establish a demonstration plot where advanced greenhouse systems are constructed, with new irrigation systems and growing media (hydroponics); . Conduct training sessions and workshops on advanced cultivation and post-harvest techniques; . Transfer know-how to local trainers, who in turn will train the farmers; . Reduce production costs of farmers while improving their socio-economic status; and, . Establish a cooperative for protected crops. A demonstration farm has been established where new agricultural techniques are introduced for growing vegetables and fruits (such as tomato, cucumber, eggplant, pepper, melon, etc.) under greenhouses. Four different types of greenhouses have been constructed - 2 multi-span, 1 bi-tunnel, 2 elevated tunnels and 1 tunnel greenhouse - covering a total area of 5,363m2. The greenhouses are equipped with plastic covering for the roof and sides, automatic curtains (side and roof), and screens. The project also includes storage rooms and a packing house, as well as hydroponics system using "growing bags" technique in the greenhouses. Another key aspect of the project is the training and workshops entailing field demonstrations of proper cultivation, harvest and post harvest practices.
Upgrading and Expanding a Plant Nursery in Zgharta GROWTH POLE: NORTH LEBANON
This project is being implemented in collaboration with Rene Moawad Foundation (RMF). It aims at improving fruit tree production techniques, capabilities, and efficiencies. The objectives of the project are to: . Establish a demonstration orchard to encourage and introduce high-density orchard practices; . Produce budsticks from the orchards for the budding process at the nursery; . Introduce and propagate new tree varieties with significant export potential by expanding the nursery and establishing a rootstock production unit (stool bed); . Conduct training seminars and conferences for farmers and other stakeholders; . Collect data on cultivated lands and develop a database for the follow-up of field activities and for better managing the production process and costs; and, . Grade and label rootstocks and transplants to ultimately produce certified rootstocks and transplants. Thus far, the nursery has been expanded, and has new liners where different varieties of rootstocks have been planted and are budding. At the pilot orchard, a variety of certified fruit trees are planted on-site, where appropriate planting techniques are applied, in terms of spacing, irrigation systems, pesticide use and others. Agricultural services are provided to farmers in the North, at competitively low prices, including vulgarization/ extension services, pulverization/control spraying, and ploughing. In addition, farmers are purchasing the trees (new varieties) from the project at approximately 50% less cost than current market prices. By accessing these services and implementing the new techniques, farmers are improving their agricultural practices and enhancing the orchard's productivity, thus reducing their production costs and increasing their income. The project's facilities are open to farmers, students, research institutes and other stakeholders for demonstration and extension services.
Supporting the Forage Production GROWTH POLE: NORTH LEBANON By implementing this project, CHF and its geographic partner RMF are the first to promote forage plantation in North Lebanon . This project aims at increasing the income generated by small and medium-sized farms in order to develop & improve their socio-economic status and increase job opportunities. The project's objectives are to: . Develop new cultivations for forage crops, and integrate the new technologies in the region; . Provide proper agricultural and cultivation techniques at affordable prices, and provide technical follow-up; . Develop a database of farmers and cultivated lands for the follow-up of field activities and for better managing the production process and costs; . Create an experimental field and demonstration plots for university students; . Organize training seminars and conferences for forage farmers, dairy farmers and other stakeholders; . Reduce costs of animal feed and improve the health conditions of herds; . Build the capacity of COOPs and create an association for dairy raisers and forage farmers. The project is designed to complete the product-to-market cycle of the forage anchor. Forage crops (corn, alfalfa and winter crops) are produced, packaged and sold, with integrated training programs and proper quality control. Next, forage farmers are linked to dairy farmers through new access to marketing outlets. The activities under this project include: producing forage; training growers on crop production and fertilization; introducing new forage varieties for feeding dairy cows; marketing forage products; and, establishing links between and among forage and dairy farmers. The forage crops are planted in collaboration with the COOP of Animal Farming and By-Products Processing in Akkar and the Wadi Khaled Development Association (WKDA). CHF provided forage plantation equipment and irrigation systems, 'while RMF, the WKDA and the COOP provided the seeds, phytosanitary products, fertilizers and technical follow-up through RMF's engineers. As a result, farmers have access to agricultural inputs and training programs at relatively low costs, and through the newly established links to dairy farmers, now enjoy secure market outlets. In addition, 2 silos (with a capacity of 400 tons each), an administrative and training facility, and a vacuum packing and sealing line have been established. The packing and sealing line allows for silaged forage to be vacuum-packed in 50Kg bags, making it easier on small farmers to transport and increase its storage period.
Improving the Goat Production GROWTH POLE: NORTH LEBANON
In collaboration with RMF, CHF is supporting the goat production anchor industry, which serves as a significant source of income for rural communities. The project focuses on the cycle of goat production starting with breeding and raising herds to the marketing of end products. The objectives are as follows: - Develop productive goat herds in the region by introducing new breeds; - Identify the existing herds in order to obtain a database on these herds, their characteristics and pedi gree; - Train farmers on new raising techniques to improve the herds' health conditions, and follow-up with all raisers to provide them with various services including veterinary and laboratory services, artificial in semination, milk collection, milk recording, etc.; . - Establish a goat milk processing unit with proper quality control, and market the dairy products through private companies; - Identify sources of short-term credit or microfinance facilities and enhance the farmers' access to these credit sources to enable farmers to purchase new breeds of goats; and, - Create a Lebanese goat association to promote the Lebanese goat industry at the national level The project focuses on improving the cycle of goat production by targeting the different elements of the product-to-market chain, with technical follow-up by RMF's team. The project starts by improving the breeding and raising of existing herds, developing a database on these herds and their productivity through the milk recording system, and carries through to the production of goat milk products including yogurt, labneh and cheese. The project also addresses quality control of the goat milk and other dairy products produced. As part of expanding the scope of the project, facilities are open to goat raisers, students, research institutes and other stakeholders for demonstration and extension services. Collaboration with academic institutions and universities is in progress, and students are conducting their research thesis at the project facilities.
Developing an Agricultural Central Market GROWTH POLE: NORTH LEBANON This project consists of developing an Agricultural Central Market that provides information services on prices and quantities of available agricultural products. It will be virtual and online, linking farmers, agro-food producers, exporters, processors, distributors and buyers in order to form a virtual central market for trading of agricultural and agro-food products. As a marketing center it will improve and expand the marketability of agricultural products through the provision of sorting, packing and packaging services. The main objectives of the project are to: - Establish a marketing center with modern machinery, including fresh-cut processing of agricultural produce, to provide various processing services with proper quality control programs; - Create an information center by developing a database, software and a website to match demand and supply of agricultural and agro-food products; - Develop relations between farmers and traders and collaborate with export agencies and companies to improve and facilitate local and foreign export marketing channels; and, - Establish links between different stakeholders, including hypermarkets, universities, research centers, etc. A database will be developed for both the supply and demand sides of the market. This will allow updated information regarding the agricultural production market to be exchanged, and the supply and distribution sources to be diversified, thereby ensuring continuous and regular supply. As for the provision of the marketing services, CHF and RMF will provide local farmers with access to new and improved processing facilities, mainly by developing and equipping the Agricultural Center of the North (CAN) in the Zgharta region. Such equipment will include cleaning, cutting/peeling and packaging machinery for the processing of vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, parsley, cucumber, tomato, and carrot. In addition, this project will be linked with other CHF agricultural centers and projects in Lebanon . Ultimately, the information and marketing services provided will connect farmers/suppliers to consumers/demand outlets, and will cultivate partnerships between farmers and traders thus contributing to improved local and foreign export marketing channels.
Developing An Organic Compost Production Unit GROWTH POLE: TYRE In attempt to improve soil fertility, sustainability and quality, CHF and the Association d'Aide au Developpement Rural (ADR) are developing an organic compost production unit. The project is based on a 2-years pilot implemented in Tyre . Thus far the project has yielded encouraging results in the re-use and composting of easily collectable agricultural waste (i.e., organic matter). The objectives of the project are as follows: . Produce locally made compost of guaranteed quality at reasonable cost; . . Conduct training sessions to increase awareness of the uses and benefits of compost; . Provide extension and demonstration services to the farmers in the area; and, . Provide equipment-renting services for production and use of on-farm compost by local farmers and agricultural producers. The project consists of establishing an organic compost production unit, where banana trees, manure, olive press residuces pruning waste( from olive and citrus trees) and various green wastes will composted produce high quality compost product for agricultural use. The compost will have economical and environmental benefits: 1. Improving soil fertility, sustainability and quality; 2. Diminishing dependency on imported compost products (peat moss); 3. Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides An awareness campaign on soil fertility and the benefits of composting will be conducted for local farmers and agricultural producers in order to ensure its smooth integration into current practices. Extension and demonstration services will be provided to the farmers and producers for 'on-farm composting', including the provision of equipment. As part of the quality control program, the compost produced will be tested and analyzed. These activities will be complemented by a technical training program provided by ADR. This project will be linked to CHF/ CEDARS activities in Saida, namely the Improving the Vegetables Production using Greenhouses project, in order to produce growing bags and expand the use of hydroponics system.
Improving the Production & Quality of Citrus ( Valencia Oranges ) GROWTH POLE: TYRE In an effort to improve the citrus production sector, mainly the Valencia variety, CHF in collaboration with its geographic partner, ADR, is establishing a cold storage facility to serve the farmers of Tyre . The main objectives of the project are as follows: . Reduce production cost of citrus products, mainly Valencia oranges; . Reduce pesticide residues in fruits and the environment; . Improve the physical and physiological quality of citrus fruits, specifically Valencia oranges; . Maintain optimum production capacity of Valencia trees and other citrus trees; . Provide low cost cold storage services for Valencia oranges as well as other citrus products in southern Lebanon ; and, . Increase the awareness of local farmers and improve crop management practices. The project consists of establishing a cold storage facility with a packing unit to improve the quality of the Valencia progress oranges as well as other citrus fruits. After harvesting the oranges, farmers can properly store them at the facility at affordable prices. As a result, farmers will reduce the use of pesticides and will maintain the production capacity of the citrus trees. Farmers will thus be able to decrease their production costs and improve their income. The post harvest technology at the facility will be accessible to farmers, traders, students, research institutes and other stakeholders.
Workshops on Post Harvest Techniques AU GROWTH POLES Dr. Lisa Kitinoja, a post-harvest expert from the University of California at Davis , visited Lebanon in March 2004 for consultation & training on post-harvest technologies. Dr. Kitinoja conducted a workshop on post-harvest techniques focusing on: commodity systems assessment methods; maturity standards & indices; harvesting tools & practices; post harvest handling & packing for fresh market; sorting, grading, packing & packaging materials; packing equipment; types & operation of cold storage facilities; transportation of horticultural crops; ripening & small-scale processing of horticultural crops; and, cost/benefit analysis methods. In June 2004, Dr. A. Kader, professor of Postharvest Physiology, UC Davis, conducted 4 workshops in the Bekaa, Saida, North Lebanon and Tyre . Focusing on the key commodities of interest in each area, these workshops included maturity standards, using maturity & quality measurement tools, harvesting, post harvest handling, sorting, grading, cooling practices & packing for fresh markets.
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