Lebanon: Business and technical training for vulnerable farmers

Technical and business training to improve the prospects of vulnerable farmers through fruit leather production.

Lebanon is going through one of the most difficult economic crises of its recent history and rural populations are particularly affected. In response, Givaudan Dubai employees who have close ties with the country have decided to put their professional know-how to good use.

fruits before transformation

To do so, they have established a partnership with a Lebanese social enterprise. Arcenciel has been running a programme for several years in the Beqaa Governorate to improve nutrition among the local population by proposing healthy snacks such as dry fruit paste known as fruit leather, while bringing value to small scale agricultural producers through production opportunities.

To improve the prospects and livelihoods of more smallholder agricultural producers, we contributed to equipment that makes it easier to transport the fruits to the processing unit and the finished products to the distribution points. In addition, Givaudan volunteers have delivered business training in topics such as market research, marketing and regulatory affairs to help the social enterprise increase their fruit leather’s distribution and thus support more farmers by purchasing their fruit crops. As a result, the number of agricultural producers increased five-fold and the overall fruit leather production increased seven-fold. Sales of the fruit leather are expanding and the potential to export the product overseas is being considered.

“Thanks to the fruit leather production upgrade, we have been able to help vulnerable farmers support themselves and their families during one of the worst economic crises the country has ever witnessed.”

Tatiana, arcenciel employee

 

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