Rim Mills is a manufacturer and supplier of branded and unbranded grain mill products. It was originally founded in 1952 and then renovated in 2014 by the grandson Najib Saliba and his brothers. Rim Mills has established itself as a well-known manufacturer of Burghul and Moghrabieh, with a widespread footprint in the Bekaa region.
Durum Wheat to Moghrabieh
The proposed project by Rim Mills under the Food System Challenge involves the revamping and production capacity increase of the Moughrabieh line. The main objective of the project is to modernize the Moughrabieh production line, making it fully automated with minimal human intervention, while also increasing its productivity.
The project outcomes will directly benefit various parties, including Rim Mills as the producer of Moughrabieh. Soft Wheat farmers who deal with Rim Mills will also benefit, as the target is to increase the number of farmers from the current base of 3 to 20 during high-production seasons.
Additionally, the project will benefit the workforce of farmers, estimated at 3 persons per farm, totaling around 30 individuals, which can reach up to 60 persons depending on the season. These individuals will benefit from sustained employment and business continuity, addressing the challenges faced by farmers in sustaining their activities due to increased raw material costs.
Furthermore, Rim Mills’ employees and workers, currently consisting of 18 individuals, will benefit from work and income sustainability, as their jobs will be sustained. Most of this workforce is composed of workers, drivers, and individuals in low-income functions. The new production line will also create new job opportunities, projected to add 3 additional employees.
Lastly, the end consumers will benefit from sustained availability of Moughrabieh at affordable prices. Moughrabieh is a bread alternative and a high source of carbohydrates, making it beneficial, particularly for the low-income population across Lebanon.
The project’s impact goes beyond the direct beneficiaries mentioned above. It will also contribute to increased contract farming practices in the soft wheat segment in the Bekaa region. This will enhance the sustainability and returns for farmers, as well as encourage the diversification of wheat crops by promoting the production of soft wheat instead of durum wheat.
The Food System Challenge
The Food System Challenge is implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and Berytech through support from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The program’s main outcomes are enhanced food security, a well-functioning local food system, enhanced efficiency and resilience of cooperatives and SMEs working across different streams of the food systems, and increased employment opportunities, especially for women and vulnerable individuals.
