ORGANIC ECOSYSTEM team, representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture of the region, SMEs, and other relevant operators from the organic farming sector gathered in Lebanon to boost the alliances developed throughout these 3 years.

Did you know? Bekaa Valley is known for its vast agricultural lands. The valley is Lebanon's primary agricultural region and is renowned for producing some of the country's finest wines. The valley has a long history of wine production that dates back to 7,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest wine-producing regions globally. Additionally, the Bekaa Valley is known for its archaeological sites such as the ancient Roman city of Baalbek and numerous Islamic and medieval forts. 

This historic and special place bound to the agriculture sector for centuries was the place chosen to host this important meeting.

The opening of the Business Alliance Meeting in Lebanon, counted on the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture of Lebanon and Jordan, among other stakeholders. 

During this three-day mission, the team had the chance to do multiple field visits thanks to the generosity of local entities and companies such as BIOMASS, Cooperation Without Borders, AGRISOL, the Association for Lebanese Organic Agriculture, Agreen, Gout Blanc, Trois Collines, and Adonis Valley. Key stakeholders from the Lebanese scenario working and promoting organic products nationally and internationally. 

One of the key achievements of this meeting was the presentation of the Organic Database, which is a comprehensive and well-researched platform for organic agriculture stakeholders. This database provides relevant information for organic farmers, consumers, distributors, and policy-makers on organic farming, certified organic products, and organic regulations

Both presentations made by Tamam El Khawaldeh, Head of Organic Agricultural Products at the Ministry of Agriculture of Jordan, and Mara Semaro from CIHEAM Bari shared insights on the current status of the project and achievements, and organic agriculture in the Mediterranean and its future perspectives. It was a well-attended event and was greatly successful.

The Small and Medium-sized Enterprises were not left out as the team introduced them to the project as well.

A 2-minute pitch was another great initiative that helped in highlighting the capabilities and services provided by the SMEs. This pitch was open to all participating SMEs, giving them a chance to showcase their work, market their products to a wider audience and find international partners. 

The International Press Conference provided the opportunity to showcase the project’s successes, its contributions to the local economy and ecosystem, and its potential for greater benefits in the future.

The "Mediterranean Organic Alliance: Opportunities and Challenges" was yet another milestone, that postulates as the backbone for the sustainability of the project. In addition, the signature of B2B agreements between businesses represents a tangible driver for promoting the development of organic agriculture at a regional level. The B2B meetings also provided opportunities for businesses to forge new partnerships and collaborations within the industry.

Overall, the team and attendees considered this Bussiness Alliance Meeting a great success as experts in the organic agricultural industry came together to share their wealth of knowledge and experience on the challenges and opportunities available in the industry. It provided a platform for organic agriculture stakeholders in the Mediterranean to network and share knowledge and experiences, which has helped to promote the growth and development of the industry.