Closure of the MoAg project "strengthening and marketing of Lebanese agricultural products

The project entitled "strengthening and marketing of Lebanese marketing products" which was implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoAg) and closed yesterday, was successful in developing a number of guides for farmers and the training of more than 7140 farmers were training in agricultural extension, 265 trainees in agriculture extension, 157 workers in food inspection and 285 workers in various technical agricultural issues.
The Minister of Agriculture noted in his speech that the project extended over three years, was implemented by the Ministry with financial support from Italian aid and under the supervision of the FAO.  He added that the project is one of the largest funded projects as funding reached a total of USD 2.9 million.  He clarified that the project involved both the agriculture and the livestock sectors with an emphasis on the agriculture sector.  Its activities included strengthening the control capacity in agricultural and livestock quarantine as well as improving control over production of processed food. The Minister also indicated that the marketing dimension of the project recorded little progress in addressing the issue of wholesale marketing despite a decision on this matter by the constitutional council.  He indicated that the ministry is now faced up with how to address internal marketing problems which in turn affect external marketing. The coordinator of the project, Hanadi Jaafar, thereafter outlined recommendations for future interventions which will include five new project proposals.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar 23 October 2013