Estimates indicate that around 20-25 percent of the active population of Lebanon derives at least part of its livelihoods from agriculture. Nevertheless, the majority of farmers live below the upper poverty line of 4 USD per day. The enhancement of food security, rural development and sustainable resources management are, thus, imperative and they are targeted as key priorities. In order to bring effective improvements at field level, however, the joint efforts of all stakeholders are required, from decision-makers to agricultural practitioners. The current Field Guide has been prepared as a practical and technical tool that can well respond to the current challenges in land reclamation for soil and water management and, ultimately, support final beneficiaries and agricultural agents through the provision of clear indicators and potential costs. The Guide, thus, should be considered not simply as a compendium of land reclamation and water management practices, but also as a manual for implementers and specialists. The Guide provides a complete set of instructions to implement an extensive range of land reclamation and water management solutions to achieve optimal employment of resources, and it also takes in due consideration the constraint represented by the availability of resources for farmers willing to improve their practices. The illustrated techniques are presented together with realistic estimates of required manual work, labor employment and financial costs, for a correct evaluation based on local and individual needs and priorities and the subsequent direct implementation.

Uncertainties related to the impacts of COVID-19 on daily life are increasingly growing. Inherent effects have grown beyond the well-defined sphere of health risks and have shocked the livelihood and food security in several countries. Particularly in the poorest countries, the impact is more devastating due to the limited availability of resources to slow down the spread of the disease. These countries require immediate actions to safeguard food security and human health. Irrigation has a great role in improving crop productivity and ensuring food security. However, expanding irrigation could impact the availability of water for sanitation and hygiene which has a central role in slowing down the spread of the disease. It is, thus, clearer that irrigation development should also comply with the requirement of extended need of water for sanitation and hygiene. Developing multiple water use would certainly allow to fight the pandemic while ensuring the basic needs of food security in rural communities. To support the concept of multiple water use, a new initiative called SMART irrigation – SMART WASH is proposed for corporate solutions to enhance irrigation and provide WASH facilities to vulnerable communities, thus, responding to the critical needs in times of pandemic crisis.

This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2020 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.