U.S. Increases Agriculture Opportunities through Innovative Approaches
On November 1, 2011, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) held a workshop under the Lebanon Business Linkages Initiative (LBLI) to highlight the nearly 700 successful value chain connections between growers, manufacturers, packers and exporters in Lebanon, announced the U.S. Embassy in statement on Wednesday.
The workshop recognized seven farms for starting the GLOBAL G.A.P. (Good Agriculture Practices) certification process, which guarantees the high quality products of these farms and opens European and international markets for their products, it said.
LBLI introduced a value chain approach to the agro-business sector in 2008, and continues to build linkages among growers, manufacturers, and end markets.
LBLI introduced GLOBAL G.A.P. certification to grape and apple producers, packers, and exporters.
The program trained growers on ways to improve product quality through better resource management and use of electrostatic technology, increased understanding of market and consumer needs, and improved handling of post-harvest products from the field to the fork.
This workshop is part of USAID’s LBLI program to build the capacity of small- and medium-sized enterprises in agribusiness and tourism, and to function as part of the economic value chain and increase sales and export revenues, it explained.
FHI Development 360 implements this program in partnership with ACDI/VOCA, Action For Enterprise (AFE), and local non-governmental organizations.
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