As part of an initiative to support farmers and agricultural infrastructure in Lebanon, the ILO organized a field visit to agricultural land with the participation of ILO Deputy Regional Director for Arab States Peter Rademaker, and representatives from the Embassies of Germany and the Netherlands, the Green Plan Administration, and the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative (LRI) NGO.
The initiative, titled "Greening the Lands," is implemented under the ILO's Employment-Intensive Infrastructure Programme (EIIP) in Lebanon, funded by the German Government through the KfW Development Bank, and under the PROSPECTS Partnership, funded by the Netherlands Government.
© Ghida El Akoum/ ILO
The visit was part of wider efforts by the ILO, national authorities and development partners to assess how agricultural infrastructure can strengthen rural livelihoods amid growing water scarcity and economic challenges. Officials observed progress on a water reservoir under construction near walnut and fruit orchards outside the town of Mhaydsse in the Metn area, east of the Lebanese capital Beirut. The reservoir is set to improve irrigation and farm productivity in the area.
The visit also included a roundtable discussion with local farmers and agricultural workers, who related how water reservoirs and fencing helped expand production, improve irrigation and reduce theft and crop losses. Discussions also covered occupational safety and health needs and improving farmers' access to external finance. Farmers highlighted persisting challenges such as access to farming resources, water security and administrative barriers, and offered recommendations to improve future collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and project partners.
© Ghida El Akoum/ ILO
"The Employment-Intensive Infrastructure Programme connects infrastructure development with job creation, poverty reduction, and local growth by using local labour and resources," said ILO Deputy Regional Director Peter Rademaker. "The ILO, together with local partners, is building worker capacities that help improve the environment they live in and the infrastructure they rely on. We are proud that this initiative empowers host communities and refugees in Lebanon to restore their environment and enhance farming opportunities.
The Greening the Land project has supported over 1,800 farmers across Lebanon so far by providing infrastructure such as retaining walls, rock fences, and water reservoirs. In its current second phase running from 2024 to 2025, the project is set to generate more than 130,000 workdays and employ over 2,300 workers, with targets of 30 percent female participation and five percent inclusion of persons with disabilities.
© Ghida El Akoum/ ILO
"We are proud to support the Greening the Land initiative through the PROSPECTS partnership, which is helping create decent jobs while strengthening Lebanon's agricultural sector," said Marieke Wierda, Chargee d'affaire of the Embassy of the Netherlands to Lebanon. "This initiative demonstrates how investments in sustainable infrastructure can directly improve rural livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable. By working together with local communities, the ILO and the Ministry of Agriculture, we are supporting long-term resilience and opportunity for both host communities and refugees."
A representative of the German embassy in Beirut said: "Our visit to Mhaydsse and the discussions with the farmers demonstrated the positive impact of the support of the German government for farmers in Lebanon as part of the Employment Intensive Infrastructure Program (EIIP). We are pleased to see that the works provided short-term income opportunities for the most vulnerable in the local community and are specifically happy that the on-the-job training helped the female workers to build valuable skills."
