Challenges and opportunities in the value chain of “kishek” : the case of rural women producers in the Shouf Caza, Lebanon -

Abstract

Kishek is a traditional preserve or mouneh produced in the Lebanese rural areas. It is processed from burghol (cracked wheat) with fermented milk or laban (yogurt) from cows or goats. It is mainly processed by women in rural areas; however, commercial kishek can be increasingly found in supermarkets and urban areas. The Shouf region in Mount-Lebanon governorate is one of the Lebanese rural areas processing kishek for household food security and an income generating activity. This thesis focused on women’s role in the kishek value chain. A value chain and a livelihood analysis were conducted. Data was collected from the value chain stakeholders, and analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The value chain analysis focused on women’s role in the chain through mapping, identifying the actors and their linkages, and determining the strengths and weaknesses of the existing value chain; the livelihood analysis looked at the reasons behind women and smallholders’ marginalization (available livelihood assets and needs), and the effect of women’s kishek production on the household livelihood. The value chain analysis identified the main stakeholders of the value chain: wheat producers, milk producers, mills, kishek processors, and retail (bakery, farmer’s markets, personal contacts), and its intermediate stakeholders such as local shops “dekkane”, dairy shops, milk collectors “hallab” and urban shops. In addition, the livelihood strategies detected the existing challenges and opportunities facing women processors and smallholders to recommend a policy framework to help and support marginalized women and smallholders in the Lebanese rural areas become main actors in the value chain. The results showed that kishek is a secondary source of income for households mainly processed by women in the Shouf region. Women process small quantities; hence, their net revenues are low ranging between 366,000 LBP and 518,500 LBP per season. This thesis argues that in o