Improved agro-forestry practices in Lebanon

Habitat corridors assist in maintaining wildlife, in the middle of human society. They enable movement between isolated populations, offering food and shelter to a variety of wildlife. In Lebanon, it has always been challenging to establish the corridors and initiate the reforestation process, due to the private ownership of the lands and unsustainable agricultural practices. The Lebanon Reforestation Initiative started piloting Agroforestry in 2018 to encourage the farmers and help them use sustainable agricultural practices that are environmentally sound, socially responsible, and profitable for them. Sustainable agriculture strives for the best long-term outcomes for forests, climate stability, human rights, and livelihoods. The objective of this program is to assist farmers in switching from monoculture to polyculture agriculture, a sustainable practice that enhances soil, lowers insect and disease pressure, increases yields, and fosters both economic and environmental sustainability. LRI pioneered the use of agroforestry techniques in Lebanon with this strategy. Targeting through this sub-program, the local community, specifically farmers, practitioners, and entrepreneurs, providing them with technical assistance, improved trainings, and implementation support. So far, 178 farmers/land owners implemented sustainable agriculture practices throughout 7 governorates in Lebanon.