New study to develop agriculture and provide employment in Baskinta, ‎and surroundings

In a continuous effort to develop the productive sectors and create new job prospects ‎in remote rural areas, Land O’Lakes International Development-Lebanon carried out a ‎development study in Baskinta area, in the context of‏ ‏the ‘Farmer to Farmer’ initiative, ‎financed by USAID and implemented in collaboration with ‘Matn’ Center for Planning ‎and Development affiliated with Dr. Wadi Haj Foundation. The study sought to identify ‎the development needs of the agricultural and food processing sectors in Biskinta and ‎its environs and was carried out with the help of economic development expert Gordon ‎Stodbecker. Furthermore, the study focused on identifying the economic activities and ‎developing the agricultural sector through innovating new agricultural products ‎compatible with the weather conditions and with market requirements, and this in an ‎attempt to create jobs and stop the wave of migration to urban areas or to outside the ‎country. Various alternative development approaches‏ ‏were also examined in the context ‎of the study with the aim of increasing the income level of local communities. (Al ‎Mustaqbal, 21 July 2015)‎