Farming system analysis of drylands agriculture in Lebanon: An analysis ofsustainability

Agriculture in Lebanon is mainly rainfed and severely constrained by limite d natural resources. Through centuries, local farmers have developed time-t ested strategies to mitigate the impacts of drought and save natural resour ces. There are now indications that the once sustainable dryland farming sy stems are undergoing drastic changes. The study was undertaken to understan d these recent drastic changes and their repercussions on the natural resou rce base in a Lebanese highland village in transition from a traditional ag ropastoral system to rainfed stone fruit production. Marginal lands are inc reasingly used in crop production and becoming less available to livestock grazing. As a result, traditional agropastoral systems are developing into more sedentary systems constrained by shrinking rangelands and limited feed availability.