Project Aim
Objective:
Set up a Core Dairy Testing Laboratory at USEK to deliver quality control, food safety testing, standardized production methods, and advisory services for Lebanon's dairy sector including ISO 17025 accreditation and collaboration with the Lebanese Standards Institution (LIBNOR) toward a national dairy quality seal, plus capacity building across the value chain with a focus on women-led enterprises.
Summary:
USEK would like to build a Core Agri-Food Testing Laboratory at its Kaslik campus, aligned with LIBNOR standards, offering technical, business, and legal support to small and medium dairy producers on food safety, quality, compliance, and market access. It is seeking SEAL's support to fund testing equipment (milk analyzers, microbiology/chemical instruments, protein/fat and moisture/ash testing systems, pH/conductivity meters, biosafety gear, consumables, etc.). USEK will provide the premises, technical oversight, and quality assurance. In recognition of the grant, USEK will credit SEAL via lab signage and communications, and will train roughly 205 farmers from SEAL's Fodder Distribution Project, creating synergy between the two initiatives. The laboratory will achieve financial sustainability through revenue from testing, quality control, and advisory services, with projected annual revenues of $25,000–$35,000 by year three to support operations, maintenance, and staff costs.
Expected Impact:
The project will deliver 4800 certified tests annually, train 50+ stakeholders (with 40%+ women participation), create 3–5 jobs, support 10–15 producers in accessing new markets, strengthen compliance with standards, and achieve sustainability through service revenues.
Implementation Plan:
SEAL will be working with USEK through a phased laboratory setup and equipment purchases and installation.
Key Beneficiaries
Direct Beneficiaries: More than 60 individuals, including 50 dairy farmers and cooperative members receiving quality testing services, 20–25 women benefiting through technical support, employment, and training opportunities, and 3 laboratory staff operating the facility.
Indirect Beneficiaries: Approximately 500–700 people, including dairy farmers, students, SMEs, processors, retailers, and consumers who will benefit from improved dairy quality, enhanced food safety standards, better market access, and increased technical capacity across the dairy value chain.
