Knowledge of water and agriculture for Lebanon
Wageningen University & Research and its Lebanese and Dutch partners to use their knowledge of water and agriculture to support the inhabitants of the Bekaa Valley.
Lebanon has taken in more than 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Meanwhile, the Bekaa Valley, to the east of Lebanon, is experiencing a shortage of drinking water and sanitary facilities. Local agriculture is also suffering from drought conditions. In these challenging circumstances, however, it is of crucial importance that the region be able to achieve good harvests, provide employment and grow its economy.
The two-year project will be launched in February 2017, with the aim of improving the provision of drinking water, purifying waste water, increasing water availability and boosting farmers’ production by encouraging better, more economical water use.
The predominant role of Wageningen University & Research in this project is to provide its knowledge and experience of agriculture and food production. ‘Agricultural productivity must be increased,’ says Herco Jansen, water expert at Wageningen Environmental Research (Alterra).
"In order to use the little water available as best as possible, there must be conscious efforts to improve efficiency."
In light of this, the partners will look to improve irrigation practices on farms.
Read the full article via Wageningen | University & Research.
[Photo by UNHCR UN Refugee Agency | Flickr]
