Land and People is a rural development program working to improve the livelihoods of people in South Lebanon, by providing them with the tools and skills needed to increase and enhance the production and marketing of their local products. The approach involves going from village to village in “mobile rural clinics” providing training sessions and workshops on specific issues, offering agricultural advice, carrying out soil tests, and distributing material and equipment where needed. There are currently 3 mobile clinics operating in South Lebanon.

In collaboration with SEAL, Land and People worked with 400 farming families in 31 villages south of the Litani, in order to:
-Support the formation and operation of farmers and producers’ associations (4  associations, 63 members)
-Implement 4 workshops and 6 public lectures, benefiting 200 farmers.
-Conduct monthly extension visits to more than 400 farmers
-Respond to emergency requests
-Carry out 60 free of charge water and soil analysis in 5 villages
-Recommend fertilization programs for banana and citrus to the beneficiaries of the soil  and water tests as well as to other farmers
-Assist farmers in the cultivation of sumac, sesame, cumin, wheat, barley, and thyme:  375,000 seedlings of thyme were distributed to 75 farmers and 168 sumac tree seedlings  to 7 farmers.
-Introduce farmers to the production of compost from banana leaves.
-Distribute 1,160 egg-laying hens to 57 farmers
-Help in the production, packaging, and marketing of laurel soap and food products

These activities resulted in perceptible improvement of the livelihoods of the beneficiaries: for example, the women soap makers of Aita al Shaab made $6,666 in 2007-2008 from extra soap sales. The 75 thyme growers are expected to earn nearly $2,000 from their fields, for a total of $150,000. Great savings in fertilizers and pesticides were also achieved.

Point of Contact:
Professor Rami Zurayk
P.O.Box 11-0236
Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107
Tel: +961-1-350 000 ext.4577
Fax: +961-1-744 460