NNA - The Lebanon Investment in Quality (LINQ) activity, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), celebrated today its achievements over the past four years in Soul Beit Misk. The $5.9 million activity partnered with high-potential agribusinesses, processors, and growers of fresh produce to improve product safety, quality, and productivity while creating new market linkages to promote business and profit growth. The closing event was held in the presence of USAID Acting Mission Director Nicholas Vivio, LINQ partners, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders.
By expanding production and introducing new technologies, LINQ addressed constraints to the agro-food sector. Such constraints included lack of innovation and marketing, poor production technologies and practices, and non-compliance with international quality and safety standards. These challenges prevented many Lebanese products from reaching local and international markets.
In his remarks, the Acting Mission Director Nicholas Vivio said, “USAID has long recognized the role of the agriculture sector as a pillar of Lebanon’s economy. This is why for the past 20 years, the United States has engaged with local partners to promote economic opportunities in rural and agricultural areas. Three years ago, through LINQ, USAID’s assistance to agri-businesses and farmers came at a critical time amid the difficult economic, financial, and pandemic contexts to help business owners, their employees, agriculture input suppliers, and families persevere during compounding crises.”
Through LINQ, USAID granted $1.4 million, which generated more than $1.9 million in economic value, and $3 million in private sector investment. LINQ interventions in the three targeted sectors reached more than 5,500 individuals out of which 4,359 were agricultural and fresh milk producers and 580 university students and youth. Over the life of the activity, 820 new market linkages were established, while women’s participation in LINQ program reached 33%. With its focus on food safety, automation of food processing and import substitution, LINQ’s approach encouraged partners to co-invest in facility upgrades and adopt new technologies to increase productivity and decrease cost, all while respecting environmental requirements for waste disposition.
USAID remains particularly committed to the agricultural sector to ensure food security for all Lebanese people and will continue to help Lebanese businesses build resilience to sustain their operations during this unprecedented economic situation.
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