FAO Project UNJP/SYR/021/FPA FAO - OSRO/SYR/801/ITA: Improving the livelihoods of Syrian women through empowering vulnerable crisis-affected households
28 August 2019, Borghetto d'Arroscia, Italy - Beneficiaries of the joint FAO and Slow Food Project visit La Baita farm, where Marco Ferreri, a farmer specializing in 'Taggiasche Olives', shares his experience cultivating olives and producing olive oil and vegetables. Slow Food and the Food and Agrlculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are organizing a study tour this week in northwest Italy for a group of Syrian small-scale women farmers. The two organizations have teamed up to enhance the skills of small-scale women food producers from Syria, all with the aim of supporting crisis-affected communities to regain or boost their livelihoods and reviving the country's agriculture sector. Ten Syrian women will learn from farming communities in Piedmont and Liguria regions that produce and promote local organic and artisan foods marked by high quality and respect for traditions. They are expected to gain knowledge on all aspects of production, marketing and value chains of a range of products - including dairy, honey, oil, cereals, breads and vegetables - and to pass on this knowledge to other women farmers in their communities upon their return. They will also be included in the global Slow Food network of local farmers so that they can continue learning and sharing knowledge and experiences.