AKKAR, Lebanon – The ILO and its implementing partner AVSI Foundation , in cooperation with Lebanon Agriculture Ministry and funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the PROSPECTS Programme , set up and launched a comprehensive skills training initiative for locals and Syrians employed in Lebanon’s dairy cow farms.
Participants joined the work-based learning programme, which merges theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience. Meanwhile, in collaboration with the University of Balamand, the project actively engaged in providing vital veterinary services including vaccination and artificial insemination, to the farmers participating in this initiative, reaching 17 farms in Lebanon’s northern areas, Akkar, and the Bekaa Valley.
The overarching goal of this initiative is to stimulate the growth of dairy cow farms, increasing their productivity, sustainability, and supporting the creation of decent jobs across the sector.
For over three years, Lebanon has been hit by the most devastating multi-pronged crisis in its modern history, according to the World Bank. The unfolding economic and financial stressors that began in October 2019 have been further exacerbated by the dual economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and the massive Port of Beirut explosion in August 2020.
Lebanon's agricultural sector has undergone a significant transformation in the aftermath of a crisis, emerging as a paramount economic force on both national and international fronts.
Ensuring a sustainable agriculture sector demands proactive measures in Lebanon, focusing on the comprehensive training of numerous young men and women employed in the sector amid the provision of decent working conditions.
