During the seventies, the Litani River Authority (LRA) executed the planning and design of the "Hydro Agricultural Development Project of Marjeyoun" in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). One of the outputs of this project was the design of "Canal 800"; a series of distribution networks designed to provide water for irrigation from the "Qaroun" Dam in West Bekaa to an area of about 15,000 hectares south of the Litani River in South Lebanon (Quelia and Marjeyoun areas). The length of the canal is 52 km starting from "Markaba" Plant in West Bekaa. It transports 90 million cubic meters of water per year to twenty main reservoirs distributed in 12 irrigation perimeters south of Litani River. The target area is divided into 12 irrigation zones distributed across the Cazas of Marjaayoun (two zones covering 2,569 hectares), Nabatiyeh (one zone covering 1,570 hectares), and South Qassmieh (nine zones covering 10,916 hectares).
In 2002, after a reviewed and updated design and feasibility study of Canal 800 project, the Lebanese Government secured a loan from the Arab fund and Kuwait Fund for Development for the execution of the main canal. Works are expected to start shortly and to be completed by the end of 2011.
The irrigation networks however that would link the main canal to the 12 areas south of the Litani river still need to be designed and funded. To ensure that much needed irrigation water is received by local communities in at least one of the regions, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Litani River Authority launched on 17th of March 2010 the "Hydro Agriculture Development Project of Marjeyoun Area" in collaboration with the Government of Spain. This project will prepare the infrastructure and facilitate the implementation of the irrigation distribution network in the "Marjeyoun" North Perimeter.
H.E. Mr. Juan Karlos Gavo Ambassador of Spain attended the ceremony alongside UNDP's Resident Representative Ms. Marta Ruedas, the chairman of board of the Litani River Authority Dr. Salim Catafago and the president of the Association of the Friends of Ibrahim Abdel Al Mr. Nasser Nassrallah.
The Spanish Ambassador delivered a speech where he stressed on the engagement of the Government of Spain to the reconstruction of Lebanon in general and southern Lebanon in particular. "This project will assist local communities in Marjeyoun area to benefit from a main canal supplying water to South Lebanon from West Bekaa".
Ms. Ruedas explained that the project will work on restoring the land. "Rocks will be removed and the ground will be evened out. This will improve the quality of the soil and make it ready for planting. The farmers will also be provided with wheat seeds and other field crops to be cultivated on their lands for two consecutive years. They will be trained in the latest agricultural techniques to improve productivity, whilst at the same time conserving the environment and water resources".
In his speech, Dr. Catafago highlted the importance of the management of the water. He also thanked the Spanish Government for its contribution, the UNDP for its support and the association of the friends of Ibrahim Abdel Al.
After that, Mr. Nicolas Gharib, the project manager, breifed the audience on the project.
The "Hydro Agricultural Development Project of Marjeyoun" will pilot a participatory approach of engaging the local communities to ensure their needs are met and will be a model for the other areas which will benefit from Canal 800.
The project will set the infrastructure for the distribution network, will show the advantages and efficiency of modern irrigation techniques, will propose the new cropping patterns in the region with their socio-economic impact, and will support the establishment of a very much needed Water User Association. The project will have a direct impact on the livelihood of the local communities affected by the July 2006 conflict by extending the areas suitable for agriculture and will provide direct assistance to the farmers through providing them with wheat seeds, or other field crops, to be cultivated on their lands for two consecutive years.
The project covers an area of approximately 522 hectares in the "Marjeyoun" North Perimeter, and specifically targets the towns of "Burghos", "Blat", "Dibbine", "Ibl Essaki", and "Jdaydit Marjeyoun". More than 1,259 farmers are expcted to benefit from the project activities.
This initiative is funded by the Government of Spain through the Lebanese Recovery Fund (LRF) that was established shortly after the 2006 conflict. The United Nations Development Programme is managing the funds and implementation of the project in close collaboration with the national partner, the Litani River Authority. The Association of the Friends of Ibrahim Abd El Al, a local NGO specialising in the advocacy of water issues, will also be an active partner in this project.