The Lebanese agricultural sector has been crippled by the lack of funds available to farmers and the scant attention given to training and education as urbanization increases. Neglect of this sector has proven to be an obstacle to the improvement of the social and economic betterment of many people living below the poverty line. Moreover, liberalization policies that are not backed by training schemes have actually worsened the status of farmers. Farming in context In 1995, the agricultural sector contributed to 12.4 percent of Lebanon’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which dropped significantly to 5.2 percent by 2008. Being able to claim self-sufficiency only in poultry production, Lebanon depends greatly on foreign aid and exports. It is no coincidence that the highest levels of poverty in Lebanon are in the same areas as those with the highest levels of agricultural production. These areas include North Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and South
