Biocoop Lubnan, Company

Advocate With and Support the Lebanese Agriculture Research Institute The Lebanese Agriculture Research Institute (LARI) is an independent department within the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) in Lebanon with the mandate to conduct fundamental and applied research and disseminate the results among farmers. Supporting this institute is of strategic importance since organic agriculture and agro-processing cannot be developed without local research. LARI will be able through the support provided to start introducing research topics on Organic Agri-business among its’ plans. This change in practice will be an important benefit for organic agri-business practitioners (farmers and processors) who will have scientific procedures and technical tools available and accessible. LARI will provide the researchers/labor and all needed scientific information and practices as well as equipment to ensure research on agro-processed products, beneficial insect rearing and seeds, seedlings and compost production. The project will coordinate efforts as follows: a) Agro-processing: LARI will develop at least five procedures for processed products according to the Lebanese/European organic regulations. Coordination with the agro-industrial sector will be a key-element in the process. The project will fund additional needed equipment and disposables, during the grant period. These procedures produced by LARI will be printed and disseminated to relevant processors. b) Production of high quality composting unit: Soil fertility is an important element within the cycle of a farm. The compost industry supported by scientific research is important for appropriate soil fertility management. LARI will provide, in addition to human and technical resources, 5,000m2 to produce high quality compost. The project will fund additional needed equipment during the grant period. LARI will sell the compost for interested farmers, as well as, at cost, for BioCoop Lubnan. Income shall be reinvested in upgrading and developing the research and production program of composting. LARI will commit to integrate compost production and compost amelioration research into their annual planning and budget