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Agriculture plays a vital role in Lebanon’s economy, yet farmers face numerous challenges that threaten their productivity and livelihoods. Rising costs of agricultural inputs, limited access to modern farming techniques, and climate change-related issues such as irregular rainfall and soil degradation make it difficult for farmers to maintain sustainable production. In Akkar, one of Lebanon’s most fertile yet underserved regions, smallholder farmers rely on traditional methods to cultivate olive trees, fruit orchards, and vegetable crops. However, without access to updated agricultural knowledge, they often struggle to optimize their yields and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
To address these challenges, Swisscontact, in collaboration with IZRAA and the Agricultural Cooperative Association in Andket, organized a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training aimed at equipping farmers with essential skills to improve productivity and sustainability.
In Akkar, northern Lebanon, farmers are continuously striving to improve their agricultural techniques to enhance productivity and sustainability. Through the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training, organized in collaboration with Swisscontact’s partner IZRAA and the Agricultural Cooperative Association in Andket, participants gained hands-on knowledge to optimize their farming practices. The training covered essential topics such as pruning and grafting.
The training was led by Charbel Tawk, an agricultural engineer and trainer, who emphasized the importance of proper crop management techniques.
Charbel highlighted how knowledge-sharing and practical demonstrations can help farmers tackle their daily challenges and improve their overall productivity.
Among the participants was Caroline Daher, a dedicated farmer and part-time schoolteacher from Andket. She inherited her family's farmland eight years ago and has been managing olive trees, avocado orchards, and vegetable crops ever since. Eager to refine her farming techniques, she participated in the training to gain expert insights.
Months after completing the training, Caroline shared how it had positively impacted her farm. She successfully applied new techniques in pruning and fertilization, leading to noticeable improvements in her crop health. She also stressed the need for continued support and suggested creating a small agricultural lab in Andket to help farmers analyze soil and plant health.
Another participant, Sleiman Abdallah el Chaar, a retired schoolteacher and experienced farmer from Andket, also benefited from the training. Having attended multiple training sessions with Swisscontact and IZRAA, he values the importance of staying updated with modern agricultural practices.
By incorporating sustainable farming methods, Sleiman aims to optimize his farm's productivity while ensuring environmental responsibility.
Swisscontact’s SILA (Skills and Innovation for Labor Advancement) project aims to strengthen agricultural and vocational training, helping farmers and smallholder enterprises enhance productivity and market access. The GAP training in Akkar is part of a broader effort to empower Lebanese farmers with practical knowledge, ensuring their long-term sustainability and economic resilience.
This project is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.