SUSTAINABILITY OF FAMILY FARMING IN THE BEKAA AND THE INCLUSION OF YOUTH: DAMASK ROSE VS. SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCTION

Abstract

Introduction: Family farming as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is the involvement of all family members in the farm activities. Family farming could take different shapes and can be defined differently according to the activities done by the family. Two value chains under family farming were chosen: Damask rose production and small ruminant herding. This study aims at exploring the factors affecting the sustainability of these two value chains in the Bekaa and the inclusion of youth. Materials and Methods: The studied area includes two villages in Baalbeck-Hermel governorate which are Qsarnaba and Arsal, to assess the sustainability of Damask rose production and small ruminants herding respectively. This study uses qualitative methods for an in depth description and analysis of the topic. Additionally, secondary research, desk review and literature review were adopted. Data was collected from scientific articles and published reports including resources from the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) at the American University of Beirut. Dissertations and online database were reviewed as well and referred to in collecting the needed information. Moreover, personal information from the researcher, an agricultural engineer and a rose farmer from Qsarnaba, and daughter of the land was also referred to in this study. Results: The main and common challenge facing the two value chains is the exclusion of youth from farming activities. Moreover, there are specific challenges faced by Damask rose producers divided mainly into: logistics, services, and environmental challenges. The challenges faced by small ruminant herders are: feed cost, scarcity of land and pastures, lack of policies and climate change. Each sector has its own coping strategies like decreasing the herd size and increasing stocking rate in small ruminants. Coping strategies relevant to the area studied were not found. Instead, recommended coping strategies by farmers during Dirani’s (2016) field work with Rose farmers in Qsarnaba were reported. The recommended adaptive strategies such as creating cooperatives, shortening market chains and making rose festivals for Damask rose producers. Moreover, there are impediments for youth inclusion in the system namely acquisition of land, monopoly of large scale farmers, lack of government support, risks 3 included in the agriculture sector, lack of previous involvement, fear of stigmatization and many others. Conclusion: Youth are fundamental for the sustainability of food production in the world. There should be a comprehensive local and regional based intervention in order to promote farming with incentives for youth population. Both small ruminant herding and Damask rose production transitioned from being a family farm tradition into a practice that is dependent mainly on foreign workers. However, the Damask rose value chain is more sustainable due to the comparative advantages which are: the low initiation cost, the rapid return on investment, the short term commitment, the low maintenance cost, etc. Family farming seized to be a tradition in rural areas, instead it became more reliant on foreign workers.