Producers’ needs analysis and quality improvement for the sustainable development of cherry cultivation in Lebanon

Cherry is one of the most cultivated stone fruit in Lebanon. Plantations are located in high altitude areas and are mainly constituted of traditional local varieties. Fruits are mainly used for fresh consumption. This study took place within the project “International network for the ecosustainable development and productive, managerial and commercial innovation of the small producers involved in the cherry value chain in Lebanon. 2016-2018”, implemented by Jean Paul II Foundation and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The main objective of the project is to enhance management capacities and strategic organization of the rural enterprises and cooperatives involved in the cherry production and supply chain in the Bekaa valley, improving quality and business control of the agricultural supply chain. Within a perspective of improving technical and productive competencies and procedures of cherry producers, this study has been focused on the following specific objectives: i) to understand more about the existing procedures (in particular harvest and selection steps) of a sample of selected local farmers, with the aim to collect relevant information and evaluate the possibilities to share existing best practices at local level; ii) to assess hygiene and quality, according European standards, of the processing unit (cooperative); iii) to explore the main issues that affect the quality of cherry production and the linkages with internal and international markets, assessing potential areas of interventions; iv) to carry out the analytical evaluation of polyphenolic molecules, with special attention to anthocyanosides, and to evaluate the antioxidant properties of cherry samples, collected in the target area. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, this study has adopted a methodology based on the active involvement of the project stakeholders. In particular, the following activities were conducted: desk-based analysis of reports; on field conduction of semi-structured interviews with a sample of cherry producers, as well as with local stakeholders; conduction of an investigation to understand if the content in polyphenolic molecules and antioxidant properties of the considered cherries is also influenced by actual production and harvest procedures. The project aims to enhance management capacities of farmers and to support the access and openness to international markets. Future perspectives of this intervention will be focused on to the adoption of successful practices, with the aim to bring socio-economic benefits for the involved local communities.