Akkar, Lebanon –31 October – With funding from the Government of Norway, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a field visit under the framework of the ongoing project “Rehabilitation and Waste Management of El-Bared Canal Irrigation System.” The visit brought together H.E. Ambassador of Norway to Lebanon, Hilde Haraldstad. and a delegation from the Norwegian Embassy, accompanied by the FAO Representative in Lebanon, Nora Ourabah Haddad and project team and technical experts from FAO.
The delegation toured several sites along the El-Bared Canal in Akkar, North Lebanon to observe the project’s progress in improving irrigation efficiency, reducing pollution, and supporting local livelihoods. The project has led to significant improvements across the irrigation scheme, from its source to the farms. The visit provided an opportunity for the delegation to witness firsthand the impact of these interventions. Participants were briefed on the design and operation of various innovative components introduced through the Norway-funded project, including sediment sumps, rootzone wastewater treatment systems, and manual and automatic bar screens for solid waste reduction. The visit also highlighted the installation of a shared mobile solar pumping system, enhancing the system’s efficiency and sustainability.
These impactful interventions demonstrate FAO’s commitment to promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly technologies that enhance water management efficiency, sustainability and agricultural productivity in the region.
About the Project
The project “Rehabilitation and Waste Management of El-Bared Canal Irrigation System”, funded by the Government of Norway, aims to reduce the discharge of waste from the El-Bared system into the Mediterranean Sea. It contributes directly to improving local livelihoods through solid waste disposal, canal rehabilitation, increased agricultural productivity, and job creation.
Operating for over five years, the project addresses the deteriorated condition of the irrigation network in the El-Bared basin. Through a series of assessment studies and field investigations, FAO and its partners have developed and implemented targeted measures to mitigate pollution from solid waste and untreated wastewater. Beyond infrastructure improvements, the project also emphasizes community engagement by employing local labour and conducting awareness-raising campaigns to ultimately change behaviours towards greater sustainability.