Strengthening the Resilience of Vulnerable Smallholder Farm Families

This project aims to reduce poverty and build the resilience of the vulnerable rural farmers and families in Lebanon that have been most impacted by the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. It supports livelihoods by developing a more sustainable small-scale and integrated family-owned farming systems with strong ties to local agriculture and the livestock feed supply chain. It integrates climate change adaptation and sustainable resource management including initiatives that focus on composting and using natural fertilizers. The project strengthens an enabling environment to ensure the inclusion of the most vulnerable and develop the potential for women and youth’s participation in the agricultural sector. Project activities include: (1) providing assets to increase the productivity of farms and agri-food processors; (2) distributing vouchers for essential agricultural products and livestock feed; (3) strengthening the supply chains of local agricultural products; (4) assessing household needs for men and women and their involvement in the use and control of production outputs and benefits; and (5) conducting a gender-equality awareness campaign with project beneficiaries to ensure a better enabling environment for women and youth’s participation in the agricultural sector.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased livelihoods and productive capacity of vulnerable smallholder farmers including women farmers; (2) improved access to and control over livelihoods and food security by smallholder farmers including women farmers; and (3) improved access to the supply chain of essential agricultural products for smallholder farmers in composting and fodder sectors.