Project Overview

The project was initiated in 2014 to address critical water shortages in Lebanon by rehabilitating water transmission lines and irrigation infrastructure. Now in its fifth and sixth phase ("Phase 4.5 and Phase 4.6"), the project specifically focuses on "Income Generation through Support for Irrigation Infrastructure." It addresses the needs of vulnerable populations by combining essential infrastructure upgrades with immediate economic relief through labor-intensive works, particularly in areas hosting high numbers of Syrian refugees.

Project Objective

• Provide immediate income through employment in labor-intensive infrastructure projects.
• Improve agricultural productivity by rehabilitating and constructing irrigation canals.
• Construct and rehabilitate hill lakes to enhance water storage for farming and rehabilitate existing irrigation canals to increase the water flow and reduce losses.
• Support the seed production value chain to ensure farmers have access to necessary inputs.
• Ensure the sustainable functionality of existing water transmission networks.
   

Achievements & Key Figures

• The project has invested in over 100 labor-intensive infrastructure projects across Lebanon.
• The rehabilitated canals span over 700 km, while the constructed hill lakes have a total capacity of 500,000 m³, covering more than 100,000 ha of agricultural land and benefiting approximately 30,000 farmers.
• The project has created around 25,000 short-term jobs (with 1 M work person days) for the vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian population, 20% of which are female beneficiaries.
• The project has built the capacity of 1,300 farmers and improved the quality of farmers’ knowledge. The project contributed to the following: 
  o    Improved cultivated crops’ varieties and species.
  o    Introduced the rainfed cherry and grape species as alternatives to apples to avoid yearly marketing problems.
  o    Decrease the fertilizer consumption by more than 15% with tailored programs.
  o    Increased soil organic matter leading to an increase in soil organic content.
  o    Improved Knowledge about Pest Control.
  o    Created farmers communication groups for sharing agricultural updates.
  o    Awarded the Global (Good Agricultural Practices) G.A.P. Certifications for 5 farmers to enhance market access and profitability.
• Rainwater harvesting systems were installed in 45 greenhouses and 24 public schools, in addition to water saving fixtures that were installed in 8,000 households, generating 700 short-term employment opportunities (250 men, 450 women).
   

GESI Component (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion)

The project is designated with a GEN1 gender marker. While focused on large-scale infrastructure and labor-intensive work, the project incorporates social inclusion by monitoring the distribution of jobs to ensure they are equitably shared among vulnerable groups. The Results Matrix tracks the percentage of farmers with improved livelihoods and includes perception surveys to ensure interventions meet the diverse needs of the targeted communities, specifically addressing tensions between host and displaced populations.