Context-based Technologies to Enhance the Efficiency and Resilience of Agri-food Systems in Lebanon

Agriculture, the main economic sector in Lebanese rural areas, contributes to around 11% of the total active labor force (formal and informal) and generates 3% of Gross Domestic Products. Lebanon is self-sufficient in the production of fruits, vegetables, and eggs and the sector plays a significant role in trade. In 2018, live animals, vegetable products, edible fats and oil, and prepared foodstuffs represented 18% of total imports and 22% of total exports. Post 1990-civil war policies neglected the agriculture sector that did not receive, on average, more than 2% of public expenditures till 2015. The sector is undermined by structural barriers limiting productivity and competitiveness. It is not attractive for youth. Only 11% of producers are aged below 34 years old while around 41% of them have more than 55 years old and cultivate 43% of total useful agriculture surface. The influx of Syrian refugees exacerbated the situation by further adding pressure on scarce natural resources. Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees per capita in the world.

Whether in the downstream or upstream side of production, new technology (ICT, water saving, soilless, etc.) transfer and adaptation in the agriculture sector are still at an early stage in Lebanon. Individual initiatives are limited to few commercial large-scale farmers and usually require high investment. The private sector is leading this field in addition to modest trials conducted by non-profit and public research institutions. Scaling up is blocked by lack of access to finance and high start-up cost. Education and age of farmers are also considered limiting factors. The government role in promoting enabling policies for technology transfer, adaptation, and use in Lebanon needs to be strengthened and informed by context-based challenges. Bringing youth back to agriculture would not be possible unless appropriate technologies (low and high tech) are adapted to increase productivity and efficiency. Making a progress in achieving SDGs related to agriculture and food security is very difficult without relying on proper technology in the context of Lebanese agriculture.

In this context, ESCWA and the Ministry of Agriculture in Lebanon, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organizations (FAO) of the United Nations, are organizing a meeting on “Context-based Technologies to Enhance the Efficiency and Resilience of Agri-food Systems in Lebanon”. The aim of the meeting is to understand the status of technology transfer, adaptation, and use in agriculture in Lebanon including constraints for scaling-up and opportunities available to reach small farmers. The meeting will discuss how different stakeholders can play complementary roles to effectively facilitate technology transfer, adaptation, and scale-up in the agriculture sector in Lebanon.

Deliberations during the two-day meeting will produce a set of policy recommendations, key messages, lessons learned, and basic principle to inform the new agriculture strategy for 2020-2025 that the Ministry is currently preparing