Beirut: A Technical Stakeholder Workshop funded by the Government of Norway and organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), focused on the ongoing project "Rehabilitation and Waste Management of El-Bared Canal Irrigation System," bringing together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the workshop served as a dynamic platform for public institutions, academia, United Nations agencies, and non-governmental organizations to showcase the project's achievements. The event included technical presentations and interactive discussions, sharing insights on innovative interventions in the El-Bared basin. Highlights featured case studies on the canal's rehabilitation, solid and wastewater management solutions, and the piloting of a mobile solar-powered irrigation pump.
The workshop facilitated knowledge exchange among key technical actors, generating constructive feedback on the project's interventions. It also reinforced partnerships aimed at improving irrigation infrastructure and promoting environmental sustainability in the region.
Operating for over five years, the "Rehabilitation and Waste Management of El-Bared Canal Irrigation System" project, funded by the Government of Norway, aims to reduce waste discharge from the El-Bared system into the Mediterranean Sea. The project contributes to improving local livelihoods through solid waste disposal, canal rehabilitation, increased agricultural productivity, and job creation.
The FAO and its partners have addressed the deteriorated condition of the irrigation network in the El-Bared basin through assessment studies and field investigations. Targeted measures have been developed and implemented to mitigate pollution from solid waste and untreated wastewater. The project also emphasizes community engagement by employing local labor and conducting awareness-raising campaigns.