Enhancing Livelihoods of Women Dairy Processors in Lebanon
The agricultural sector in Lebanon is faced by a series of challenges made more acute by the effect of the Syrian crisis on the country, especially in rural areas. Farmers have increasingly abandoned their livestock as they are unable to cope with rising feed prices and the declining prices of animals and animal products. It is essential to strengthen the dairy sector to ensure that it continues as a viable source of livelihood and employment, particularly for women. The project enhanced the livelihood and food security of Lebanese women by providing household dairy production materials, and by improving the quality and safety of milk and milk products.
What did the project do
The project provided assistance to women/dairy processors and farmer/dairy producers in the most vulnerable areas of Lebanon in order to increase their income through the improved quality and safety of milk and dairy products. The project selected 130 farmers/dairy producers and 130 women/dairy processors as direct beneficiaries, in addition to ten women cooperatives/associations. The project supported these beneficiaries through the provision of training and equipment. Training was held for 240 women and men in good practices in farm management and the avoidance of contamination in milk production and processing, as well as the production of local white cheeses and mozzarella, with an emphasis on good hygiene and food safety. Focus group discussions were held with women participants to improve their understanding of gender equality and rights, and women’s empowerment. The project provided all women beneficiaries with tools and utensils for home dairy processing, all women cooperatives/associations with dairy processing units, and all participating farmers with disinfectants and mastitis early detection kits. All beneficiaries also received copies of two easy-to-read and well-illustrated booklets on dairy processing in Arabic.Impact
The project improved the capacity of the most vulnerable milk producers and processors, contributing to the improved quality and safety of milk and dairy products throughout the value chain, and enhancing incomes as a result. Samples collected from milk and dairy products before and after the project showed significant reductions in bacteria count. “We had absolutely no idea why sometimes our cows get sick or don’t provide more milk,” stated project beneficiary 48-year-old Um Mostapha, who owns three cows with her husband, “but now we know how to take care of them in a better way and they have been doing very well.”Activities
- 130 farmers/milk producers and 130 women/dairy processors selected as direct project beneficiaries, in addition to ten women cooperatives/associations.
- Training in good practices in farm management and avoidance of milk contamination in production and processing provided for 240 men and women.
- Demonstrations given in production of local white cheeses and mozzarella, with emphasis on good hygiene and food safety.
- 130 women dairy processors provided with 130 small dairy processing units and 350 stainless steel milk jars for storage and transportation.
- Ten women cooperatives provided with medium-sized dairy processing units.
- 130 farmers provided with disinfectants and mastitis early detection kits.
- Two illustrated booklets on dairy processing produced in Arabic and distributed to all beneficiaries.
- 108 random samples of dairy products tested for microbiological assay and found to be significantly less contaminated than samples taken before the project.
Project symbol: FAO: GCP/LEB/024/ITA
Project title: Enhance the Livelihood and Food Security of Vulnerable Lebanese Women through Improving their Dairy Production Practices and Supporting their Dairy Processing Activities
Contact: FAO Office in Lebanon / Markos Tibbo Dambi (Lead Technical Officer)
Download PDF: http://www.fao.org/3/a-bt806e.pdf