Value Chain analysis in the Bekaa Plain, Lebanon: “Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Dairy products”

Abstract

The Syrian refugee crisis has put additional pressure on the Lebanese economy, particularly the agricultural sector. At a regional level, the Beqaa plain, forming the longest border with Syria, represents the backbone of agriculture and agro-industry in Lebanon. In order to cope with the impact of the Syrian refugee influx into Lebanon in general, and the Beqaa in particular, international and local organizations are implementing development projects aiming at supporting both refugees and host communities. This study is part of the joint efforts of CARITAS Switzerland and ICARDA to support Lebanese hosting communities and Syrian refugees facing social, economic, and humanitarian challenges in Lebanon due to the Syrian crisis. It aims to assess the needs and gaps of three selected agricultural value chains to identify field-based sustainable interventions, which can contribute to improving the livelihoods of the hosting communities and refugees.

The study was carried out in two phases. A preliminary rapid assessment identified the three selected value chains in the Beqaa plain. It was carried out by following the Markets for the Poor analytical (M4P) framework. Potatoes, tomatoes, and dairy products were the three selected value chains. The focus on the value chain approach as a means to develop interventions is based on the idea that greater enhancements of the production, processing and marketing of agricultural commodities will boost the local economy and, thereby, create more opportunities for the Lebanese and Syrian refugees. The methodology followed was adapted from the Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA).

The present report is divided into six parts. Parts I and II are an introduction and a presentation of the methodology and objectives. Part III is a holistic analysis of the agricultural sector in Lebanon with a focus on the Beqaa plain. Part IV presents the impact of the Syrian refugees’ crisis on the Lebanese agricultural sector, namely in the Beqaa plain. Part V is a detailed situational analysis of the challenges, needs, and gaps of the selected value chains, and the identification of the opportunities and potential interventions in each value chain, followed by a conclusion and recommendations.