Water- and Energy-Efficient Pepper Growing
Innovation Type:
Water-Energy-Food
Product Segment:
Energy – Value-Added Processing
Country of Incorporation:
Lebanon
Country of Implementation:
Lebanon
Company Stage:
Stage 1: 0 to 100 end-users
Contact Name:
Ramy Nehme
Contact Email:
Website:
Challenges
Transforming the irrigation method has proved quasi-impossible due to the mentality of farmers in Lebanon. The abundance of water in remote areas and the mismanagement of water and energy sources have put farmers in a comfort zone.
Due to the low demand in the market especially after COVID and the failing socio-economic situation in Lebanon, each year farmers throw out half of their yield. Also, these farmers are investing in quick-selling crops such as eggplants and tomatoes instead of artisanal ones like red peppers.
Solutions
Irma & Co makes and sells pepper paste made of peppers grown through drip irrigation technique. So far, four tons of peppers have been grown and the production has a water and energy saving of more than 70%.
Irma & Co also plants ethnic crops and buys its yield from these farmers. This engagement puts the innovator in a position to expand and onboard more farmers, managers, and decision-makers from communities and groups that are usually marginalized.
