Projects & Initiatives: 11
Beneficiaries: 200,000+
Partners: 13
Volunteers: 300+
Food Security
& Agriculture
Zakroun
Project
2021-2022
The decline of the agricultural sector, which constituted a mere 3% of the national economy, coupled with the disruption in national food security, along with the state’s neglect of agricultural areas prompted the LNE to support the enhancement of food security by investing in agricultural projects with small farmers, trusting the need for intensive efforts at all levels to achieve SDG 2 in Lebanon, which targets the eradication of hunger, providing food security and hence, improved nutrition and sustainable agriculture.
Project maturity:
August 2021-December 2026 (five years)
Project characteristics:
The project is located in the district of Koura, covering an area of 13,408 square meters. It consists of 23 greenhouses, excellent soil quality, 2 water wells, an irrigation network, a hangar designed for raising livestock and workers’ housing.
LNE in partnership with the Son of Man Association provides work for fifteen agricultural specialists and workers (project manager, foreman, agricultural engineer, workers), applying good agricultural practices to ensure high productivity of vegetables with excellent specifications secures the successful sustainability of an agricultural project which was previously abandoned due to the dire economic conditions and assures seasonal jobs for some residents of the neighboring areas.
Partner:
Cultivation of
St Charles Hospital Gardens
2021-2022
This project aspires to spread knowledge in the economic, educational, scientific and agricultural fields to support an institution in the service of humanity and the protection of human life that works to provide health care for citizens.
A partnership program between LNE and Saint Charles Hospital for the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, based on the reclamation and cultivation of the abandoned areas of the hospital’s gardens to secure the vegetables and fruits necessary to sustain the daily consumption of its kitchen. An initiative based on promoting economic development in Lebanon, specifically under SDG 12 and SDG 17 as responsible consumption and production, and establishing partnerships to define the goals.
Project characteristics:
– A technical study to determine the work schedule and agricultural calendar.
– Weekly follow-up by LNE agricultural engineers.
– LNE providing seeds and seedlings free of charge according to the hospital’s needs of quantities and varieties.
– LNE providing the necessary organic and chemical materials and vitamins for the project success.
– LNE training of full-time hospital workers on Good Agriculture Practices.
– Setting criteria for proper management and consumption of water and electricity resources necessary for the project.
– LNE providing a portion of the seasonal agricultural crop free of charge to the hospital.
– Additional quantities are secured at low and preferential prices.
Partner:
Freekeh Production
2021
Freekeh is a nutrient-dense whole grain, with a smoky flavor and protein content higher than that of bulgur and rice, and a lower sugar and fat coefficient.
LNE’s agricultural initiatives aim at reducing the deficit in food needs, stimulate individual initiatives, and create sustainable projects for manufacturing and marketing local products. The expected result is to mitigate negative impacts on both, the short and long term.
In pursuit of its agricultural projects, extending over 800 thousand square meters throughout several Lebanese regions, LNE launched the production of Freekeh from its cultivated wheat.
The project consisted of introducing modern equipment to be used in the drying and roasting phase, manufacturing, manpower, packaging, marketing, distribution and sale according to international quality standards. LNE will also endeavor to export as much as possible and open new markets for Lebanese rural products.
Talia Project
2020-2021
Through its agriculture division, LNE agricultural initiatives are aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are due to enhance their socio-economic impact, helping create sustainable food security systems, reach food safety nets for the most vulnerable and underprivileged groups of population.
This role gained more significance with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic that caused a major disruption in chains of food supply, in addition to the already dire situation of the ailing national economy, where access to affordable foods became a serious issue.
With the objective of creating autonomously sustainable food systems and a safety net for the population to meet their affordable nutritional needs, LNE has invested in its first agriculture project in the Bekaa Valley, cultivating more than 520 thousand square meters.
Small Farmers Support Initiative
February 2021
Complementing its national “Secure your Food Needs!” campaign, launched in 2020, which aimed to enhance the national food security across Lebanon, stimulate agricultural projects and encourage families to cultivate their lands, LNE customized an initiative targeting rural villages where 684 farmers signed up for technical assessments.
These indicators revealed the needs in equipment, seeds, fertilizers or even technical support where the most venerable farmers were be supported by technical experts.
Cherries Picking Campaign
June 2020
Aligned with LNE’s agricultural activities and its conviction to support Lebanon’s farmers and their produce, more than 50 young women and men participated in a campaign entitled “Harvesting together”. Essentially, the initiative led to discovering farmlands and a return to the roots by bringing support to the cherry farmers in the upper Metn area.
This drive aimed at providing technical support to farmers in a workshop delivered by specialists, in partnership with the René Moawad Foundation, paving the way to participate in a project financed by the Netherlands steered at improving production, and resulting in a produce viable for export to international markets. This initiative also aimed at alleviating some financial burdens by helping in the harvest, highlighting the importance of creating seasonal job opportunities for the Lebanese youth, promoting internal environmental tourism, enhancing the role of women in rural areas, and shedding light on the Lebanese cuisine through a village dinner event prepared by ladies from the area with local produce.
Moreover, for two consecutive days, the Nuns of Sayydet el Beshara hosted the participants, in addition to local MPs and the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Partner:
Agriculture Seeds Distribution
April-May 2020
LNE launched its sustainable initiative to enhance the national food security across Lebanon with the spring season in April 2020, responding to the challenging economic crises.
In accordance with its strategy aimed at enhancing the livelihood of citizens, through the primary need of food security, LNE presented its national “Secure your Food Needs!” campaign through a massive television and social media presence and complemented with personalized visits to various Lebanese regions to promote interest of individuals.
More than 19,000 packs were distributed insuring the livelihood of approximately 17,000 families and cultivating almost 2.5 million square meters of land.
The package includes 14 seed varieties along with a technical brochure and a detailed planting calendar of the main local vegetable crops, as well as necessary guidelines that offer useful assistance for beneficiaries in their planting process.
This brochure secured guidance to prepare a healthy basket of fresh products as well as preparing food reserves, encouraging people to plant at home and benefit from livestock farming.
LNE team supported the campaign through multiple visits to various villages of Lebanon, from the Southern Cazas of Bint Jbeil, Nabatieh, Zahrani and Jezzine, West Bekaa, Zahle, Baalbeck, Hermel, Bcharre, Zgharta, Koura and Jbeil all the way to the Mount Lebanon regions.
During these visits, the LNE team met with citizens, farmers, members of different municipalities, cooperatives and local NGOs highlighting the key role of this initiative: “Secure your Food Needs!”. All stakeholders committed to support LNE by providing their technical and human resources to find sustainable solutions to the economic crisis.
LNE also supported local farmers during the harvesting periods by offering guidelines and tips for the sole purpose of boosting the Lebanese agricultural sector being a major catalyzer in the long-term autonomy of food security and the objective of being self-sufficient as a nation.
Seeds
Seeds Packs 266,000
Workers 31×4 weeks
MEDIA
Short Movies 8
Press Conference 1
TV News Reports 2
Websites Reports 33
TV Shows 3
Social Media Posts 12
Radio Talk Shows 5
Lebanese Apple Day
October 2019
Partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture, LNE toured across Lebanon, organizing, and participating with local producers and consumers in various apple festivals, promoting apple cultivations and rural apple products. All while emphasizing on the importance of applying good agriculture practices for a better product eligible for export.
Partner:
2nd Arak
& Gastronomy Day
July 2019
The second “Lebanese Arak Day” and “International Day of Tasting”, under the High Patronage and valuable presence of H.E. the President of the Lebanese Republic, were organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Municipality of Zahle-Maalaqa-Tannayel and LNE, at the Zahle Municipal Park.
More than 60 Local Arak and Food Exhibitors participated in the Festival, hence promoting local produce, creating network opportunities and boosting culinary tourism.
The event attracted more than 2,000 guests from across Lebanon over two days.
Partner:
Houmel Olive Oil Festival
October 21, 2018
Organized by the “Mountain Development Association” in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the support of LNE, under the patronage of H.E. the Minister of Energy and Water, Mr. Cesar Abi Khalil.
Houmal welcomed the Olive Oil Festival showcasing the wealth of Lebanese products. More than 20 local food exhibitors participated in the festival, with visitors from Aley and the surrounding region.
Partner:
Lebanese Arak
& Gastronomy Day
July 13 & 14, 2018
The “Lebanese Arak Day” and “International Day of Tasting” were organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the Municipality of Zahle-Maalaqa-Tannayel and LNE, at the Zahle Municipal Park. More than 30 Local Arak and Food Exhibitors participated in the Festival.
The event was under the auspices of H.E. the President of Lebanese Republic General Michel Aoun and attracted more than 500 guests over the 2 days from across Lebanon.
Partner:
Recent Projects
Iron Will Initiative
Christmas in the City
