Supporting Lebanese Farmers with Innovative Hungarian Agricultural Technology

The Agro-Help project was launched by the Hungarian Baptist Aid with the support of the Hungary Helps Program. Its goal is to assist smallholder farmers in the Middle East and Africa by introducing innovative, Hungarian-developed agricultural technologies – most notably the Agrooter root irrigation system. Through this, the initiative aims to reduce the vulnerability of local farmers to climate change and food insecurity while alleviating migration pressures. In the project’s first phase, the agricultural and climatic conditions of the participating countries – including Kenya, Syria, and Lebanon – were assessed to ensure the Hungarian technology could be optimally adapted to local environments. This was followed by pilot programs where local farmers learned about the operation and advantages of the Agrooter system. During the second phase, field training sessions and demonstration days were organized, allowing farmers to gain hands-on experience with the technology. Hungarian experts provided manuals and on-site mentoring to help participants use the system effectively, enhancing soil moisture retention and increasing crop yields. In the third phase, model plots were established to measure and evaluate the impact of the root irrigation technology. Early results show significant improvements in soil water balance and harvest outcomes, even in arid and challenging regions. By combining Hungarian technological innovation with practical knowledge transfer, the project promotes the adoption of sustainable, climate-resilient farming practices. Its long-term objective is to provide stable livelihoods and strengthen the capacity of smallholder farmers in the Middle East and Africa to build a future in their homelands.