50% increase in cherry production and 100% in profits

The USAID-funded Lebanese Industry Value Chain Development Project (LIVCD) organized last week a conference devoted to assess growth achieved in cherry production during the years 2014 and 2015. Over 100 persons, mostly farmers and exporters of cherries from the Beqaa and Mount Lebanon, partook in the event which was held at the USJ campus in Ta2nayel. In the beginning of the vent, a presentation outlined the various challenges, and achievements realized so far in cherry production. According to a report prepared by LVICD, the two-year old programme has contributed to a rise by 50% in production of cherries and to a surge in profits to farmers by 100%. It is to be noted that during the implementation period the program organized training courses on new cultivation techniques in addition to supporting water irrigation. (L’Orient Le Jour, September 24, 2015)