In 2014, the organization SOILS: Permaculture Association Lebanon began implementing permaculture in the Lebanese countryside through workshops and other training for farmers and garden lovers. One of them was a 16-day workshop held in February (2^nd to 19^th) in Qoussaybe, in south Lebanon, in cooperation with Mercy Corps. The aim of the course was to introduce small- and medium-scale farmers to a sustainable agriculture approach.

Permaculture, which includes agriculture and permanent or sustainable culture, is a design science that brings together knowledge and culture, habitats and human agricultural systems. It employs principles of ecology and knowledge of traditional societies to ethically and responsibly reproduce the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems.

Farmers in Lebanon use mostly monoculture. They don’t diversify a lot, which can be a management risk in case of a climate shift. The short-term thinking of Lebanese farmers will also become a problem. They don’t invest in the future. Diversification might be costly at first, but this is the only way to ensure long-term beneficial production.

Another issue is the chemicals they use. Every year Lebanon is losing around 15% of their agricultural land. Which means that in 60 years everything will be lost!
 

For more information: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/06/lebanon-permaculture-farmers-diversification-production.html#


Website resource: http://organic-market.info/news-in-brief-and-reports-article/lebanon-looks-to-sustainable-agriculture.html