Last December, we announced the launch of an ambitious project to strengthen the position of small-scale dairy farmers in Lebanon. This initiative is in collaboration with the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (Lost), a pivotal organization dedicated to the development of underdeveloped communities, particularly in the Baalbek-Hermel and North Bekaa regions.
About Lost
Lost is committed to improving the agricultural sector through various initiatives. One of their key contributions is the establishment of an agricultural hub/academy. This facility, combined with partnerships with local farmers and a dedicated team, provides essential training and guidance to the farming community. Moreover, Lost has set up a modern, hygienic processing plant, designed to improve the market position of local farmers by ensuring their products meet high-quality standards.
Farm management training
The initial phase of our project involved comprehensive training sessions focused on farm management practices. These sessions covered crucial areas such as cow health, water management, and feeding practices. By enhancing these fundamental aspects of dairy farming, we aimed to lay a foundation for processes and steps further up the value chain.
Value chain management training
Recently, we progressed to practical training on value chain management (VCM). Despite Lost’s advanced facilities, value chain practices and marketing and sales strategies are still in their infancy. To address this, we conducted sessions with participants to explore market developments and customer segments. Participants engaged in interviews with different clients to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and potential market opportunities.
During these sessions, we identified and discussed various obstacles to business growth. More importantly, participants were taught practical approaches to turn these obstacles into problem-solving actions or opportunities for beneficial improvements.
Cooperative mindset
A crucial component of the VCM program is fostering a cooperative mindset among farmers. Many challenges, such as the need for refrigerated storage, efficient transport, cost reduction, quality inputs, and improved farm management cannot be tackled by individual farmers alone. That’s why we emphasized the importance of collaboration. Our discussions not only highlighted the benefits of working together but also the essential criteria for building trust between farmers and the team at Lost.
Future prospects
Our project with Lost aims to create a sustainable dairy farming sector in Lebanon. By equipping the Lost team, and, in the second phase, the farmers with the necessary skills and fostering a cooperative spirit, we are confident that these initiatives will lead to significant improvements in their market position and overall livelihoods.
In the final stage of this program, we will discuss the strategic actions needed for further improvements in the future and share the findings with the Dutch Embassy in Lebanon and Nuffic, which is funding this program.
For more information please contact Engelie Beenen
