Dairy sector benefits
from $4.5 million grant

World Bank initiative implemented

by FAO and Ministry of agriculture

A new $4.5 million agricultural initiative is set to provide a critical boost to Lebanon’s dairy sector, creating employment opportunities for vulnerable Lebanese farmers and displaced Syrians while cutting production costs across the dairy value chain.

Funded by a grant from the Global Partnership to Improve Prospects for Forcibly Displaced Persons and Host Communities (PROSPECTS) through the World Bank, the project is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

'Employment Creation for Vulnerable Lebanese Citizens and the Syrian Displaced Population in the Livestock Value Chain' is an initiative that targets 3,175 small-scale dairy and feed production farms across Lebanon. It aims to support farmers with matching grants and technical assistance to increase productivity, improve working conditions, and enhance farm yields. Women are expected to make up at least 25 percent of the beneficiaries.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector as a driver of resilience, recovery, and inclusive development,” said the Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani. “By supporting dairy farmers, particularly the most vulnerable among them, we are investing in food security, social cohesion, and sustainable rural livelihoods,” he said.

The project takes a demand-driven approach, focusing on structuring the dairy value chain through strategic partnerships between farmers and commercial off-takers. Emphasis will be placed on sustainable investments, including the introduction of energy-efficient infrastructure and modern equipment to reduce long-term costs and environmental impact.

The initiative also includes a digital transformation component for the Ministry of Agriculture, aimed at enhancing its service delivery. New tools will improve monitoring and outreach, while mobile veterinary clinics and laboratories will reinforce the Ministry’s ability to deliver veterinary and livestock services across rural regions.

“By supporting job creation in this vital sector, this project will help vulnerable households increase their income and improve their living conditions,” said Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Director for the Middle East Department. “Agriculture is a key source of livelihoods in rural areas and plays a central role in poverty reduction,” he said.

Veronica Quattrola, FAO Representative in Lebanon, emphasized the broader impact: “By investing in people and the dairy value chain, this project offers more than just support—it creates hope. It opens pathways to dignified employment, strengthens livelihoods, and builds a future where vulnerable farmers and displaced families can thrive together through resilience, opportunity, and shared growth.”

The project comes at a time when Lebanon’s agricultural sector is under pressure from prolonged economic crisis, climate challenges, and population displacement. By targeting both host communities and displaced populations, the initiative aims to foster stability and inclusive economic development in rural areas.