Improving agricultural development in Lebanon through cooperatives

CHF International, in collaboration with the René Moawad Foundation (RMF) is implementing the ‘Enhancing the Olive Oil Sector’ project, under the CEDARSplus Program. The project will improve linkages between and among olive producers and processors to improve the quality and quantity of olive and olive oil (increase yields and improve processing efficiencies), thus, expanding markets opportunities.

CHF and RMF are working directly with agricultural cooperatives, farmers and traders throughout Lebanon to promote the production and marketing of olive oil to meet the international standards and the increasing demands of international markets, as well as to promote market diversification by targeting high-valued niches.

A series of workshops titled ‘Harvest and Post-Harvest of Olives – Effect on Oil Quality’ are conducted in different areas throughout the country.

On October 3, 2006 the first workshop was conducted in Baakline Olive Oil Press, which is owned by the coop for Olive Growers in the Chouf, where 33 farmers were trained. The training focused on the proper time to harvest olives and its effect on the olive oil quality, disadvantages of late harvest, and the proper methods of harvesting (handpicking vs. mechanical picking).

Farmers were also trained on how to produce good quality olive oil by producing good fruits, harvesting at the right time, and properly storing and pressing.

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