Lebanon’s farmers are seeing new hope as global and local partners invest in irrigation and job creation projects, the International Labour Organization (ILO) reported during a field visit in Metn, just east of Beirut. Joined by officials from Germany, the Netherlands, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Green Plan, and the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, ILO leaders surveyed a new reservoir being built near Mhaydsse—part of a wider effort to help rural areas weather both economic shocks and water shortages.
Under the “Greening the Lands” initiative, led by the ILO’s Employment-Intensive Infrastructure Programme and supported by German and Dutch funding, dozens of projects are providing not only vital infrastructure, but also paid work for hundreds of local laborers. The team’s visit included seeing progress on the new reservoir, designed to help nearby walnut and fruit growers keep their crops healthy through dry seasons.
Farmers and agricultural workers sat down with the delegation to describe how access to water—and better fencing—has let them boost yields, cut down on theft and crop loss, and get by despite tough conditions. The conversation also touched on health and safety, as well as the need for easier access to loans and farming essentials. Community members pointed out gaps in support and called for simpler rules and tighter partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Peter Rademaker, ILO Deputy Regional Director for Arab States, said the approach is about “lining up new infrastructure with jobs, income, and skills that stick with people long after the project ends.” He noted that the reservoir and other improvements are helping restore battered farmland and set farmers up for the future.
Since starting, the Greening the Land project has helped over 1,800 farmers by putting in retaining walls, building rock fences, and digging new reservoirs. The current phase—spanning two years—is expected to create more than 130,000 days of paid work and employ over 2,300 people, aiming for solid representation of women and people with disabilities in the workforce.
Marieke Wierda of the Netherlands Embassy called it a team effort: “Backing projects like Greening the Land is about more than funding jobs—it’s about building lasting strength in Lebanon’s farming communities and making sure no one is left out.”
