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The ADP Newsletter and Website aim at providing information to farmer groups, and other stakeholders in agriculture, on issues related to the fruits and vegetables sector, including agricultural production and marketing, and also ADP and farmer groups activities. Main sections include: Agricultural techniques: includes information, statistics and research related to: -
Local and international production trends and quantities. -
Main pests, diseases and recommended pest management methods. -
Post-harvest techniques. -
Other issues. Market information: includes information, statistics and research related to: -
Marketing standards for fruits and vegetables in the local and export markets. -
Local market information (price changes and trends, etc.). -
Trade statistics (import and export data). -
Export market information (price changes and trends, etc.). -
Main local and international agricultural exhibitions. -
Other issues. ADP and Farmer Groups activities: covers all ADP activities including conferences and workshops, and information on farmer groups
operating within the project.
| Issue 19This special issue is the second of two issues dedicated to tackling legislative requirements for foodstuffs namely fruits and vegetables to enter EU markets. This issue incorporates legislations regarding the following five topics: Standards for Marketing Fruits and Vegetables, Labeling, Residue Levels for Pesticides, Packaging, and Specific Food Categories. The information featuring below is a summary of the original text which you can get by contacting us or by logging onto the the relevant section within the ADP website (<a>www.adplb.com</a>). | |
| Issue 18This special issue is the first of two issues dedicated to tackling EU legislative market entry requirements for foodstuffs including fruits and vegetables. This issue concentrates on legislations on food safety and thus tackles the following topics: General Food Law, Hygiene of Foodstuffs (HACCP), Food and Feed Control, Contaminants in Food, Product Safety, Food Contact Materials, Organisms Harmful to Plants, and Liability for Defective Products. The information featuring below is a summary of the original text which you can get by contacting us or by logging onto the relevant section within the <a href="/sites/En/ADPNewsletter/_layouts/www.adplb.com">ADP website </a>. | |
| Issue 16The ADP-Ministry of Agriculture has, till date, fulfilled its financial commitments to 28 out of the 48 farmer groups benefiting from the project. In the coming days, ADP shall also submit its promised financial contribution to 3 additional farmer groups whose projects were reviewed and approved by ADP’ administration. This makes ADP’s total financial contribution amount to around €1,675,815. | |
| Issue 15Finally, the ADP launched its website after a delay due to technical reasons mainly. However, the downside of this holdup seems to squander in light of the significant benefits brought about by the website. In that sense, and for the first time in Lebanon, the ADP website provides farmers and other stakeholders with central and comprehensive references and databases on local and export prices of fruits and vegetables, standards and norms, post harvest techniques, and pests and diseases forecast. This information, which shall be updated regularly in direct relation to ADP services, represents a central component required by farming organizations and groups to formulate strategic decisions all along the supply chain, that is, farm the farm to the fork! | |
| Issue 14Organic farming practices are spread in several countries around the world, and yet remain limited to just a few countries in the Arab region (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, and Lebanon) where organic crops include dates, olive oil, ornamental plants and meat. According to the statistical of Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture, more than 331 local agricultural possessions are used for organic production. In this context, the Ministry is involved on many levels and in several projects in the ultimate aim of encouraging the adoption of alternative organic agricultural practices. | |
| Issue 13Because of its compatibility with the local climate conditions, especially in coastal areas, and also its high economic returns, Atemoya cultivation (Annona squamosa) is gradually spreading in Lebanese areas. Indeed, this cultivation is high yielding, especially that Atemoya is widely demanded by consumers around the world due its high content of several essentials nutrients such as Calcium, Phosphor and Potassium. | |
| Issue 12Many of the Arab countries (such as Maghreb countries, Middle East countries and Saudi Arabia) encourage mushroom cultivation and have, for that matter, developed special assistance programs targeting stakeholders involved in such business, namely rural women, farmers and even larger agricultural investors.Interest in this cultivation is underscored by its low cost and rather high return, its organic residues re-used in industrial manufacturing, in addition to its known health benefits. | |
| Issue 11Avocado cultivation has witnessed a significant growth over the last years in Lebanon, especially due to the unique characteristics inherent to this produce, including the high nutritious value, its usability in agro-processing and in the manufacturing of medicines and of beauty products also. Most importantly, Avocado plantation is a high value added, rather profitable business, especially that the off-season price per kilo could reach around 6,000 LBP.According to FAO statistics for the year 2005, Lebanon came on top of countries producing Avocadoes in the Middle East (ME) region, with a yearly production of around 5,000 tons. In comparison to its Arab peers, and still within the contest of Avocado production, Lebanon ranked second, following Morocco whose yearly production in 2005 reached around 16,500 tons | |
| Issue 10Kiwi plantation in Lebanon has grown significantly over the last two decades especially in light of the many advantages that underlie such cultivation on both the demand and supply sides.The supply side advantages of this cultivation include its being rather financially rewarding and its compatibility with Lebanon’s nature and climate. This is in addition to the unique characteristics of the kiwifruit plant including its high productivity, its tolerance for long storage periods, and its ability to preserve its quality during the hardships of transport and shipping.On the demand side, factors such as the high nutritious value and the usability in industrial processing (agro-industries, manufacturing of makeup, etc.) stir the demand for the kiwifruit and adds to the many competitive advantages that characterize its cultivation. | |
| Issue 9Lebanese producers and exporters of grapes, especially in the Bekaa region, strive relentlessly to produce new varieties (e.g. seedless) and to enhance their production standards in fulfillment to the requirements of the international and local markets. Nevertheless, and despite their pioneering efforts, they continue to face mounting impediments resulting from the elevated maritime shipping costs, which compromise the competitiveness of their produce, and thus undermine their chances to access new, markets in Europe and East Asia.For example, it costs around $4,400 to ship a 40-feet container from Lebanon to Malaysia, versus just $1,900 to ship the same container from Tunisia to Malaysia.In light of the above, private and public stakeholders (exporters, forwarders, shipping lines, etc.) need to collaborate as to, collectively, bring about a quick and practical solution to this problem of elevated freight costs, in attempt to enhance the competitiveness of the local produce and promote its commercialization in international markets | |
| Issue 8In fulfillment to ADP’s commitment towards benefiting farmer groups, and following the approval of minister Talal el Sahili, the ADP national director Ms. Joumana Kordab awarded 7 farmer groups (out of 48) the first installment of their promised ADP grants. Grants varied between €33,000 and €66,000, depending on the value of the submitted projects, and totaled to more than €400,000. Farmer groups shall receive the final installments of their promised grants upon the completion of the purchase (of equipments) and construction (of buildings) activities, as stipulated by their projects within ADP. | |
| Issue 7Kafalat, Lebanon's credit guarantee agency, and in response to the request of ADP's management, disseminated a new circular to all banks in Lebanon soliciting them to support farmer groups benefiting from ADP in obtaining subsidized loans. | |
| Issue 6Over the last decade, banana production in Lebanon witnessed a significant progress on the levels of both production and quality. In fact, and over the last five years, Lebanon’s production of banana surged by some 30% to reach the levels of 81.200 tons in 2005. This is in addition to the adoption of new cultivation techniques (namely greenhouses), the introduction of new varieties, and the use of modern packaging, which all led to a local produce with quality levels of international standards. | |
| Issue 5The EC delegation in Lebanon has accepted the request of the ADP project to extend the project for one additional year, that is, till 31/12/2008. The extension mainly aims at enabling the farmers' groups to fulfill their part of the commitment with the project before the end of 2007. | |
| Issue 4The Garden Show, which was held in the Beirut hippodrome between the 15th and the 23rd of May 2007, was an occasion for the ADP to promote its technical services aimed at developing the fruits and vegetables sector in general and at enhancing the marketing capabilities of farmer groups benefiting from the project on a more particular note. The event also was an opportunity to introduce the projects of these beneficiary groups. The Federation of Lebanese Chambers (FCCIAL) as well as the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) also participated, as Stakcholders, each presenting their services and roles within the ADP. | |
| Issue 3The acting Minister of Agriculture and the National Director of the ADP handed out a first installment of 66,400 EUR of the ADP contribution to the Mcheitieh Agricultural Cooperative. The Cooperative, which is the first among farmer groups benefiting from the ADP to receive actual disbursement, had already fulfilled its part of the commitment with the project, securing, therefore, its contribution of 60% of the total investment of its project within ADP. | |
| Issue 2Apples came on top of Lebanon's trade balance for fruits in 2006, registering a surplus of $11million, followed by cherries ($ 5.9 million) and oranges ($ 5.7 million). Around 81% of Lebanon's apple exports were destined to Egypt, while no less than 63% of appleimports to Lebanon originated from Syria. | |
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