ILO BOUZOUR’s pilot initiative to open new markets for cherry cooperatives

Beirut, Lebanon (ILO News)- Lebanon has been suffering from a severe financial and economic crisis with long-lasting effects on its economy and its people. With the drastic devaluation of the currency, prices of imported items have risen sharply, and households are now increasingly struggling to cover food needs. The combined effects of the crises have resulted in unprecedented unemployment levels, pushing both the Lebanese population and approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees further into poverty. The Lebanese agriculture sector remains one of few sectors where both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese host communities can legally find employment, as well as vulnerable Lebanese host communities, but it has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing crises.

To address these challenges, the ILO launched its project ‘Building Inclusive Markets and Decent Work for Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees – BOUZOUR,’ funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). This project seeks to enhance specific agricultural and agri-food value chains that hold potential for creating decent jobs and supporting the livelihoods of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian populations residing in Lebanon, particularly women.

The BOUZOUR project employs the ILO’s Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) to safeguard jobs and livelihoods of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian communities affected by the crises in Lebanon, and to encourage decent job creation for both groups in sectors with potential.

A key component of the project focuses on identifying and developing specific agricultural and agri-food value chains based on concrete market opportunities, on either the local market through import-substitution or on international markets. Thus, the project looks at the cherry value chain that holds potential for inclusive growth and job creation, particularly through unlocking new export opportunities. As there is still an untapped potential in the export of cherries and in the extension of the season, the current value chain needed to be elevated to tap into this potential.

The BOUZOUR project has therefore launched a pilot scheme to support selected private sector actors in taking up a more effective role as intermediaries to bridge the existing gap and facilitate farmers' access to new market opportunities that will lead to increased revenues and incomes.

Amongst others, ILO BOUZOUR partnered with Nasr Rahme, a family agriculture company, to help Lebanese farmers unlock new export markets for cherries through FaV, the brand representing a cluster of agricultural cooperatives. Under the partnership, ILO BOUZOUR provided technical guidance and cost-shared Nasr Rahme’s initial investment to act as intermediary buyer, providing farmers with training, advice and pre-financed inputs and acting as guaranteed off-taker and exporter of cherries.

“This year, our collaboration with the engineers from FaV Lebanon led to significant improvements in our production. Their recommendations and constant advice on how to combat the Mediterranean fruit fly were particularly valuable. Previously, we hadn’t used gibberellic acid, but with their guidance, we incorporated them into our process, resulting in larger and higher-quality cherries.” Robert Tannouri, Farmer, Kaa El Reem.

The pilot intervention with Nasr Rahme has engaged 65 farmers from three different cooperatives located in the Kaa El Reem, Ainata and Aarsal areas in Lebanon. Nasr Rahme has successfully conducted three sales trials with companies in Dubai and Kuwait worth US $21,695; in addition to facilitating a partnership between certified organic farmers and Lebanese cooperatives and businesses, which resulted in Nasr Rahme receiving orders for cherries for a total value of US $1,254.

The BOUZOUR project represents a crucial step in revitalizing Lebanon’s cherry export sector. As it expands, the initiative aims to create more job opportunities for both Syrian workers and Lebanese communities, improve working conditions, and foster sustainable growth in agriculture. By bridging local farms with global markets, the ILO BOUZOUR project is not only enhancing livelihoods but also contributing to the resilience of communities in Lebanon during the current crisis.