Category: Value Chains

FAO: Technical Assessment of the Fruits, Vegetables and Nuts Value Chain

In-depth technical assessment for FAO of the fruits, vegetables and nuts (including pulses) value chains, to assess: 1) Mapping the Value Chains 2) Presenting options for improved productivity and value addition and 3) Assessing gaps in available technology and capacity of potential agriculture centers. Methodology: Interviews with actors in the sectors of agriculture and food processing, in addition to in-depth interviews with market actors and stakeholders such as middle-people, importers, smallholder farmers / small-scale food processors, agriculture and agro-food cooperatives, and MSMEs.

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Chemonics: Baseline Surveys for Several Value Chains Under the Agriculture and Rural Empowerment (ARE) Activity

The Lebanon Agriculture and Rural Empowerment (ARE) Activity implemented by Chemonics aims to equip the agribusiness sector and rural communities with the technical and financial resources to generate increased productivity, sales, and exports, improving producer income. InfoPro was commissioned to monitor ARE’s activities in order to identify the success of its program and to inform future activities. The sectors assessed included 1) the dairy value chain 2) Fresh and Processed Vegetables value chain 3) Herbs value chain 4) Grapes, Stone Fruits, and Citrus and 5) Potatoes, Alliums, and Fodder. Methodology: Desk research, a quantitative survey with 1,000 farmers, and in-depth interviews with 150 retailers, wholesalers, cooperatives, MSMEs.

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FAO and Fair Trade: Gender Value Chain Analysis

Market system study in Akkar, North, and South Lebanon, and Baalbek-Hermel. The study provided updated information on the current status of four value chains (Plant Product, Agro-Food Processing, Animal Production, and Fisheries and Aquaculture), using a gender perspective. Methodology: 30 Key Informant Interviews, 28 focus groups, and a quantitative survey with 1,400 farmers/herders, fishermen / women, and firm owners.

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IFC: Digital financial services and the digitization of agricultural value chains

IFC aimed to increase access to financial services in Lebanon by providing financial institutions with Investment and Advisory Services. IFC appointed PPI and InfoPro to carry out an opportunity sizing/mapping of the financial services sector. An additional focus of the study was to identify opportunities (such as digitalization) for stakeholders within value chains, particularly with regard to supporting financial inclusion of small holder crop farmers. Methodology: Quantitative survey with 1,380 farmers, households, and MSMEs.

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ACTED: Food Security Value Chain Study

A Food Security Value Chain Assessment. The objective was to identify food value chains critical to food security, key bottlenecks and impediments to agricultural production along selected value chains, and propose solutions and recommendations to alleviate efficiency bottlenecks. A desk research exercise was conducted to identifying gaps in available information. A list of the basic food commodities for vulnerable population groups especially those affected by the Beirut port blast was identified. A prioritization matrix was prepared and four value chains were selected. A full value chain analysis across the four products selected was then conducted. Methodology: Desk research, Methodology: Desk research, 20 key-informant interviews (KIIs) with sector experts and representatives, and a quantitative survey with 208 farmers, cooperative members, business owners, and other market actors along each step of the value chain.

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World Bank and MOSA: Value Chain Analysis for the Bekaa and North

A study for the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) and the World Bank. Identify and select two value chains in each of the six districts under study. The main objective of the study was to support MoSA in implementing and delivering support to identified beneficiaries in Bekaa and North Lebanon. Methodology: Collecting background research and figures on all sectors. In-depth interviews were conducted with key players to identify the value chains to be adopted. A prioritization matrix was formulated to assess various sectors with the highest potential. Insights were provided technical issues relevant to value chains selected by MoSA to support beneficiaries, potential job opportunities associated with each value chain, and existing support programs available. A survey with beneficiaries and farmers was conducted to evaluate their skill level and experience to identify training needs. Assessment of training institutions.
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World Bank and GDS: Value Chain Analysis in six sectors

A study for Global Development Solutions (GDS) and the World Bank. Identify and select two potential value chains for analysis from the following six sectors: agriculture and agro-processing; recycling and waste management; information, communications and technology entrepreneurship; municipal services; construction; and trade and Tripoli port development and trade logistics. Methodology: Collecting background research and figures on the various sectors being covered. In-depth interviews were also conducted with all key players in order to identify the value chains to be adopted. A prioritization assessment matrix was formulated to assess the various sectors with the highest potential using a set of different criteria. A snowball sampling method (commonly used to identify value chain stakeholders) was used to determine additional entities/companies to interview along the value chain. InfoPro and GDS conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders at every step in the value chain, including firms, government, NGOs, industry organizations, and others.
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USAID and Social Impact: Evaluation of Lebanon Industrial Value Chain

A study for Social Impact to assess a final performance evaluation of the Lebanon Industrial Value Chain Development (LIVCD) Project is a five year program funded by USAID. The study is to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the project by documenting critical successes as well as shortcomings of the project. Furthermore, the evaluation had to shed light on the approach and activities implemented under LIVCD with regards to achieving outputs, outcomes, and the sustainability of its interventions. Methodology: 28 focus groups split across the various value chains conducted under the program.
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World Bank and GDS: Construction Value Chain

A study for the World Bank Group and Global Development Solutions (GDS) to conduct value chain analysis of the construction sector, especially residential building materials inputs. Assess the readiness of the sector to take advantage of the future reconstruction in Syria and determine employment creation opportunities. Survey access to finance among micro, small and medium enterprises. Methodology: Collecting background research and figures on the construction sector. Mapping stakeholders and entities to create a value chain. In total, 282 key players were interviewed.
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UNDP CEDRO: Industry Potential and Job Creation in Renewable Energy

A study for UNDP’s CEDRO program to examine the status of renewable energy projects, the situation of the industrial sector with regards to the manufacturing, assembly, and import of renewable energy systems (RES), and the physical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems that can be implemented locally. Methodology: Review available documentation on renewable energy, nationally and internationally. In-depth interviews with stakeholders to identify current projects in the pipeline, support available, and the potential for renewable energy. Mapping players involved in the assembly, manufacturing, and import of renewable energy systems. Companies that import and usually also assemble RES, as well as RES manufacturers were interviewed to assess the supply and demand of renewable energy systems, the availability or lack of labor with know-how in renewable energy, and the available infrastructure among other issues. A review of all renewable energy systems and their economic feasibility was carried out followed by an assessment of the current situation versus requirements across all renewable energy facets.
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