Irish troops based in south Lebanon are hoping to encourage the Irish farming community to donate tools, machinery and knowledge to help a new co-operative movement that is in the early days of development in the country.

Since October 2019, Lebanon has been in economic crisis, with inflation rates reaching 89%. Add in the COVID-19 pandemic, plus the knock-on effects of the Beirut explosion in August – including unemployment plus the severing of supply lines in a country where 80% of food is imported – and day-to-day life has become increasingly difficult.

Local leaders, however, are trying to encourage the rearing of goats, sheep and poultry, along with the production of wheat, herbs, olive oil, fruit, vegetables and honey, by developing co-operative style shares. This means that machinery- ranging from ploughs to olive presses- is held in one central location and utilised by local farmers as required.

Indeed, already in the village of Aynata, the first co-op system for agricultural machinery has been established, along with a centralised location for the production and sale of local grain, herbs, spices and tomato sauce. Moreover, this co-op employs solely local women to give them an ability to work outside the home and provide for their families.

Local leaders in South Lebanon are trying to encourage the development of co-operative style shares

Yet more support is required; which is where the Irish Defence Forces 116 IFN BN comes in through the ‘Cimic Team’ currently serving in the UNIFIL Mission Area in South Lebanon.

The team is led by Captain Kate O’Flynn from Bandon, Co Cork; Sergeant JP Rogan from Ballingarry, north Tipperary; Sergeant Kevin Halligan from Tullow, Co Carlow; and Sergeant Tommy Kane from Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Their role is to liaise with the local population through “quick impact projects”, including agriculture.

“When we had first heard that the Ministry of Agriculture were trying to set up the agricultural co-op, it immediately hit a chord with us,” says JP, who is based in the Army Equitation School at McKee Barracks in Dublin when not overseas.

“It’s a bit like the ‘meitheal’ system of years ago in Ireland where they are trying to bring neighbours together to help each other for the ploughing, the sowing, bringing in the harvest etc.”

With funding in short supply, however, the team are hoping that Irish farmers might come on board to donate secondhand machinery that they no longer need to the fledgling co-ops.

“It’s a different type of farming out here; but it’s the same type of upkeep,” says Kate, explaining that everything from shovels and spades to cultivators and tractor parts are in demand, particularly for tillage farmers.

Kate – who is usually based at Collins Barracks in Cork – explains that making ends meet has become very difficult for the local farming community.

Life is very difficult for the farming community in South Lebanon due to economic crisis, COVID 19 and the knock on effect of the Beirut explosion.

“The main thing is the cost of living really increased over the last year. I think at the moment, a cereal box is nearly $20-$30 in some shops,” she gives as just one example.

“Funding isn’t there for the machinery to be made available.”

They now hope to get everybody from local IFA to Macra groups on board to source and ship good quality, second-hand farming tools and machinery to the co-ops, as well as explore any opportunities for knowledge transfer.

Indeed, so far they have also linked in with the Irish Beekeepers Association to start a drive for secondhand or unused equipment to help support beekeepers in South Lebanon, who have seen prices for their produce plummet (eg where once they received $20 for a large jar of honey, they are now only getting $5.) CL

Anybody who would like to get involved in the initiative can email ocirishpolbatt@gmail.com or connect on Twitter @irishpolbatt to express their interest. Meanwhile, for beekeeping donations, please contact derek@irishbeekeepersassociation.com

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