Fair Trade Lebanon Explores Agriculture & Agroecology with Balamand Students

At the University of Balamand, business students got a chance to see agriculture through a different lens: one that goes beyond profits and markets. Fair trade Lebanon guided them through a lively discussion on agroecology, fair trade, and the often-unseen role of gender in farming communities across Lebanon. 

The session invited students to connect classroom concepts to real-world challenges: how ecosystems, local livelihoods, and long-term sustainability are all intertwined, and how their future business decisions could shape food systems in meaningful ways.  

Gender dynamics, access to resources, and decision-making power in rural communities sparked thoughtful debate, revealing how fairness and inclusion are as critical as crop yields. For many, it was a revelation: agriculture is more than just planting and selling, it’s about people, choices, and the connections that hold communities together. 

Through the Eco North project, students are not only learning about agroecology, they are experiencing it. They see how sustainable practices, ecological balance, and community engagement can transform rural landscapes and the lives of those who nurture them.