The Lebanese agricultural sector had been under stress for more than 30 years. The “July War” further aggravated the situation, especially in Southern Lebanon where agriculture remained a vital component of people's livelihood.
In partnership with the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB), SEAL allocated a grant of $25,000 that created a mobile rural development unit (“Rural Bus”).
Manned by two agricultural engineers who specialize in crop and animal production, the bus housed a small library and a training center with broadband internet; it enabled farmers to access agricultural information systems with the support of the specialists. An additional $15,000 was allocated to the women of Aita Al Shaab in order to teach them how to produce soap as part of the biodiversity conservation program of the Laurel soap.
