Ainata El Arz Reviving Its Fields Through Aromatic Farming – In a region where agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods, the town of Ainata El Arz in Northern Lebanon has become a model of rural revival. Through a strategic partnership between VNG International, the Union of Municipalities of Deir El Ahmar, and the Municipality of Ainata El Arz, a simple idea turned into a transformational project: cultivating aromatic and medicinal plants such as lavender on neglected municipal lands.
The story began five years ago when VNG International, with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, sought to bring new hope to areas burdened by economic challenges. Instead of focusing on traditional crops with low returns, they proposed planting high-value aromatic herbs that have growing demand not just locally, but internationally.
Following VNG’s participatory approach, the project began with a demonstration plot, developed with the collaboration of a Dutch expert and his Lebanese colleague. This plot served as a practical model that could be scaled up in the future.
Opportunity in the Horizon
Recognizing the opportunity, Mayor Michel Rahme of Ainata El Arz saw the potential in repurposing a part of the town’s vast unused lands. Lavender, in particular, was identified as ideal for the area’s climate and terrain. “Our main goal was to generate income for the municipality,” Rahme said, adding that the initiative also aligned with the town strategic vision to boost tourism and create sustainable jobs.
From Lavender Fields to Livelihoods
The project thoughtfully included local stakeholders, especially Syrian refugees, by offering them year-round employment in planting, irrigation, and harvesting.
What sets this project apart is not just the agricultural aspect, but the full value chain approach. A commercial agreement between the municipality and a private company ensures the produce is purchased at the end of each season. Starting with 10,000 square meters, the goal is to expand to 1 million square meters of cultivated land.
Mayor Rahme also highlighted the growing interest from neighboring municipalities eager to replicate the model after seeing its early success. “Thanks to VNG International, we were able to launch this promising initiative,” he said.
This is more than just a farming project, it’s a story of how vision, partnership, and community engagement can breathe life back into forgotten lands and turn them into fields of opportunities.
At Sharks Creators, we’re proud to have been part of this journey from its earliest days under the MASAR programme until today (SDLG), documenting the transformation of Ainata El Arz’s fields and supporting the programme communication strategy. Through video production and storytelling, we’ve helped share this inspiring example of how collaboration and vision can reshape a community’s future. For us, it’s more than content, it’s about amplifying impact and giving initiatives like this the visibility they deserve.
