Press Release

FAO and Ministry of Agriculture Empower Farmers to Reclaim and Develop Agricultural Lands

27 March 2025

(Beirut, Lebanon –26 March 2025): More than one thousand small-scale farmers in Lebanon will soon be able to reclaim their unproductive lands, construct water reservoirs for buffering water shortages and do on-farm complementary works. To sustain rural communities, the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, through its affiliated Green Plan (GP), has launched this demand-driven support program which allows farmers to benefit from subsidies (matching grants) to invest in agricultural infrastructure.

This transformative initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Government of Denmark under the project “Promotion of Agricultural Livelihoods and Employment through Investment in Land Reclamation and Water Reservoirs”, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

Today, FAO Representative in Lebanon a.i., Veronica Quattrola and a Representative from the Embassy of Denmark in Lebanon attended the signing of agreements between the FAO and farmers from the Bekaa region. This marks a significant milestone in the project, as over 100 out of more than 1000 farmers from Mount Lebanon, Akkar, North Lebanon, Bekaa and Baalbek-Hermel have already signed matching grant agreements over the past week. These grants will enable them to convert unproductive and abandoned lands into fertile agricultural plots, construct terraces, and build water reservoirs to cultivate high-value crops, particularly in hilly and mountainous areas.

“The investments made under this initiative will lead to a sustainable increase in farmers’ profitability and income, while also creating substantial employment opportunities” stated FAO Representative a.i., Veronica Quattrola. She added that: “participating farmers will receive tailored trainings on climate-smart agricultural practices, crop husbandry, and water management, and would be enrolled in Farm Business Schools to shift their focus from production only to profitability.”

“The Embassy of Denmark is proud to be able to support this transformative initiative to help Lebanon build resilience, create sustainable jobs, and ensure farmers thrive, thereby contributing to Lebanon’s economic recovery”, Dorte Chortsen, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Denmark stated. She added: “We are pleased to be able to partner with the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture and FAO to help farmers restore unproductive lands, improve water conservation, and enhance their livelihoods.”