Rural development project constructs 20 mountain ponds

The first phase of the sustainable agricultural development in the mountain regions was launched yesterday at the headquarters of the Council for Development and Reconstruction in the presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Akram Chehayeb, CDR Chair, Nabil Jisr, and Head of the Administrative Committee of the Office for the implementation of the Green Project, Gloria Abizaid. The project, which is funded by OPEC Fund for Economic Development, aims at reducing poverty in rural areas through enhancing agricultural production and income levels of the targeted groups across Lebanon. To note, the project which is implemented following a financing agreement and a memorandum of understanding signed between the Green Project and CDR, will entail the construction of some 20 mountain ponds and is expected to be executed in stages. The first phase which has already been contracted, includes the construction of eight mountain tarns in the following areas: Ehmej, Bodai, Ain Bneyah, Beit Lif, Shebaa, Nahleh, Aytaroun and Aita al-Shaab. Morever, studies for the implementation of the second phase that cover the construction of eight pools in the North, Mount Lebanon and the South, have also been contracted. 

(Source: Al Diyar, May 6, 2015)