A New Economic Dynamism for Hermel II” seeks to substantially enhance and expand the operational capacity of trout farmers in the Assi River basin, by providing a certain level of formal structure that is not currently present in trout farms in the area. By going so, it directly impacts the signing of a “Control River Production” contract with the 13 fisheries operating in Zone A, to ensure that productions are controlled for quality and quantity, what required long discussions with farmers to be finally achieved.

Packaging and marketing the products is complying with international standards, in order that the product can compete with imports in the local market, and to increase export potential. Through the level of expertise that is started to ameliorate at the exemplary trout fishery, and the dissemination of lessons learnt and best practices, we are capable now to transfer to the trout fisheries in the area the standards to improve both the quality and quantity of their fish.

Specific objective:

The new economic dynamism promoting quality and contamination-free tourism and fish production activated.

Target groups:

TG1: 128 trout fisheries operating in the region (6 women)

TG2: 20 local cooperatives, fisheries, and NGOs (2 women)

TG3: 45 touristic agencies in the Hermel region (4 women

Achieved activities:

• A water network has been installed for the touristic region and as a result clean water is used now in ASSI restaurants in order to prepare food and washing.
• In order to prevent pollution at the Assi spring source, we have been working on several pollution sources, we discovered pollution source from a sewage thus it has been eliminated, and drinking pond for cattle has been implemented.
• An exemplary trout farm has been established, we made our studies seeking best production methodologies that have been applied on our farm.
• “Control river production” contracts were signed with 13 fisheries to emphasize the high quality production of their farms.
• A packing and processing center has been equipped, means of transport have been purchased, markets have been provided from all across Lebanon, and 15 different kinds out of trout fish are produced and widely marketed. The center offered till now, new job opportunities for 15 workers.
• For stronger fish production marketing, a new brand has been registered holding the name: “SILO Healthy Food”, and an agreement has been signed by the ministry of public health to check the product and make sure from its compliance with the required high standards before packaging and marketing.
• Support and guidance for farmers has been guaranteed by the scientific advisor and food quality control officers who follow up on a daily basis. 10 workshops have been provided, employing inclusive, modern and innovative teaching methods training local cooperatives, fisheries, and NGOs releasing gained knowledge and technical expertise and disseminating information regarding safer, more environmentally-conscientious fish fodder, in order to reduce the harmful effects of irresponsible fodder use.
• Two subgrants has been given to two NGOs, first one supported the installation of a mechanical filtration system, nationally manufactured in a way that does not require a source of energy. And the second grant supported the installation of a barrier with a height of 1200 m that prevent the wind from carrying dirt to the river valley.

After the project implementation, river pollution has been reduced significantly, with our       intervention and sewage elimination to 0% in zone A, securing potable water for the neighboring villages. Ecotourism has been rebound, where the number of tourists has significantly increased, making zone A area, one of the most effective tourist areas, where more than 8 tourism institutions were opened newly in 2018, from restaurants and river eco-friendly sports activities. And since zone A became pollution free, the fisheries in the region became required and desirable as their product is better, healthier and pollution-free. Therefore, the project has contributed to the creation of jobs opportunities in tourism and fish sector, in addition to the packaging and processing center job opportunities, which helps reducing poverty in the long term in the region and improving the health status of the region residents.

 At the regional level, the tourism and fish sector has been greatly activated and enhanced at zone A, as well as zone B and C. After seeing the project activities effect in zone A area, the residents started to replicate the experience and changing their behavior to more ecofriendly behavior and decrease their pollution activities, which improved the situation of the whole river and revived the tourist season and benefited the people of the region.

Achieved Results:

– Exemplary trout farm

Exemplary trout farm is working with the best breeding method found on the study department.

– Product brand                                                                                         

A new brand named “SILO Healthy Food” is registered.

– MOU with Ministry of Public Health                                                      

An agreement with the ministry of Public Health has been signed.

– “Control River Production” contract signed by 13 fisheries                     

Contracts with fisheries have been signed.

– Scientific Advisor and Business Advisor employed for duration of project 

A Scientific Advisor and Business Advisor have been appointed from DA and HDF

• Project documentation

The whole adopted process in this project has been documented for the project to be easily replicated

Period:

28/05/2016 – 27/11/2018 (including 6 months extension after an approved addendum).

–      DIALOG association (Lebanon)

    Planning and Development Agency – PDA (Lebanon)

–   Hermel developmental organization (Lebanon)