Proper irrigation through partnership in North Lebanon
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(left to Right) North ADP manager Kozhaia Hanna, CAAR chair Pru Goward, and Australian
Ambassador to Lebanon Lyndall Sachs "on the ground" examining the itinerary of the new irrigation system.
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org
Hundreds of families are expected to benefit from an extensive irrigation project now underway in
one of the Area Development Programme World Vision has set up in Lebanon.
The project is the largest single project to be undertaken in the Bsharre Area Development Program (ADP) and addresses the low efficiency of the current irrigation system. Some 600 farming families will directly benefit from properly irrigated land for their crops, and potable and non-potable water will now be available for people living in communities in the district.
Moreover, good water management practices and policies will be introduced to the community through awareness campaigns and workshops that will be introduced to both community leaders and farmers.
The total value of the project is US $603,194, with the Council for Australian Arab Relations (CAAR) contributing US $460,000.
Australian Ambassador to Lebanon, Lyndall Sachs commented that she was very pleased with the work and planning that has so far taken place as part of the 'Bsharre Irrigation Project,' on a visit to the World Vision ADP earlier in the month.
'I come from a country where water is scarce, and so I am very pleased to see the efforts that both our countries are doing to preserve the natural resource that's most precious to Lebanon: water,' said the Australian Ambassador.
'We are impressed by the high level of cooperation between World Vision and the community members to reach the perfect possible implementation scheme for this project,' said Pru Goward, CAAR's chair who accompanied the ambassador during her visit, after meeting with municipalities' representatives and workers.
The project also expands water storage facilities for irrigation. During winter times water will be collected and stored. Other activities focus at avoiding soil erosion, channeling storm water into agricultural lands, habitats for fauna and flora to increase biodiversity to maintain appropriate environmental balance. The project runs till the end in December 2008.
World Vision Lebanon started working in Bsharre in 1993 through child sponsorship and supporting the establishment of a sewing factory. Several training workshops in sewing, handicrafts, music lessons for children, painting, vinegar preparation, gypsum work were organised, as well as literacy programs and the establishment of small tree plant nurseries. Currently, the North ADP supports 1,950 children and their families through education, environment, economic development (including agriculture) and health improvement.
The project is the largest single project to be undertaken in the Bsharre Area Development Program (ADP) and addresses the low efficiency of the current irrigation system. Some 600 farming families will directly benefit from properly irrigated land for their crops, and potable and non-potable water will now be available for people living in communities in the district.
Moreover, good water management practices and policies will be introduced to the community through awareness campaigns and workshops that will be introduced to both community leaders and farmers.
The total value of the project is US $603,194, with the Council for Australian Arab Relations (CAAR) contributing US $460,000.
Australian Ambassador to Lebanon, Lyndall Sachs commented that she was very pleased with the work and planning that has so far taken place as part of the 'Bsharre Irrigation Project,' on a visit to the World Vision ADP earlier in the month.
'I come from a country where water is scarce, and so I am very pleased to see the efforts that both our countries are doing to preserve the natural resource that's most precious to Lebanon: water,' said the Australian Ambassador.
'We are impressed by the high level of cooperation between World Vision and the community members to reach the perfect possible implementation scheme for this project,' said Pru Goward, CAAR's chair who accompanied the ambassador during her visit, after meeting with municipalities' representatives and workers.
The project also expands water storage facilities for irrigation. During winter times water will be collected and stored. Other activities focus at avoiding soil erosion, channeling storm water into agricultural lands, habitats for fauna and flora to increase biodiversity to maintain appropriate environmental balance. The project runs till the end in December 2008.
World Vision Lebanon started working in Bsharre in 1993 through child sponsorship and supporting the establishment of a sewing factory. Several training workshops in sewing, handicrafts, music lessons for children, painting, vinegar preparation, gypsum work were organised, as well as literacy programs and the establishment of small tree plant nurseries. Currently, the North ADP supports 1,950 children and their families through education, environment, economic development (including agriculture) and health improvement.
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