AUB - The Farm - Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture

In addition to being an educational establishment and research center, AREC is also a bona fide functional production farm. AREC regularly grows 77-hectares of rain fed and irrigated crops including barley, vetch, oat, alfalfa, sweet corn and other vegetables. In terms of production strategy, AREC is at the very cutting edge of sustainable agricultural production in the Middle East. The AREC farm is run on a simple philosophy: Rather than taking from the land until it can offer no more, truly effective agriculture should seek to utilize and enhance natural cycles that are already in place. At AREC, sustainable agriculture is not about reducing farming efficiency, but rather seeking to work with nature and science in order to ensure the long-term conservation and well-being of the land.

Sustainable agriculture also means allowing animals to live in a dignified and humane way. On the farm, AREC rears cattle, poultry, sheep and goats under excellent hygienic conditions, producing in the process high quality dairy products, eggs and meat. AREC's pioneering agricultural techniques and science-based approach have been transferred to other farmers throughout the Beqa'a valley, securing the future of this historic agricultural land through modern, green farming practices.