In the last decade the Dreib region in the north of Lebanon has faced great economic challenges resulting from unemployment, the Syrian crisis and lately the nationwide financial crisis. Income generating activities are among the most urgent needs of the local communities. MASAR addressed this need by collaborating with the local governments and cooperatives introducing beekeeping as a potential source of income.
Between May and August 2022 42 beginner beekeepers received an intensive theoretical and practical training in beekeeping 20 excelling trainees received each a beekeeping kit, consisting of 3 hives with bees, protective suits, and beekeeping tools.
Another training in basic beekeeping was organized in Chadra village for 50 participants. Later, a training for beekeeping cooperatives was delivered focusing on their role in maintaining high production standards and supporting sales of beekeeping products.
Such a large group of people having been trained in beekeeping will ensure the beekeeping profession to be passed on to future generations especially now the trainees are able to optimize honey production and produce high-end bee products, which are sought after in the Lebanese market.
Entrepreneurship and Investments
In cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, a series of trainings in Entrepreneurship and Investments were delivered to staff of Agricultural Centres operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and young entrepreneurs wishing to start a business in the agricultural sector. The activities were implemented in all three MASAR areas of intervention.
27 staff of the Agricultural Centres were trained in teaching entrepreneurship skills and encouraging business thinking in their students. For the young entrepreneurs, a competition for the best business idea was launched. 34 ideas were selected for further development. Their authors were invited to a training on business and entrepreneurship delivered in cooperation with the agricultural centres.
Following the training, participants entered the coaching phase working on feasible business plans. Based on these, five projects were later selected and implemented with MASAR support.
Towards Sustainability
Entrepreneurship and investment trainings mobilized youth to propose business projects in agriculture and learn skills necessary to implement them. Few young people have been active in this crisis-ridden sector and business orientation has been rare among the older farmers. Thanks to MASAR, energy, perspective and the new skills of the young trainees have been brought to the sector.
Through training of employees of Agricultural Centres in teaching the entrepreneurship and investment skills, MASAR ensured that the knowledge can be transferred further.
