“Agricultural Value Chains and Rural Livelihoods: A Socio-Economic Assessment of the Agricultural Situation in Three Municipalities in Southern Libya (2023)”

Abstract

This study aims to assess agricultural value chains and rural livelihoods in three municipalities in southern Libya Sabha, Ubari, and Murzuk during 2023, based on field data collected from over 60 stakeholders through interviews, focus groups, and site visits. The findings reveal significant disparities in agricultural productivity, with wheat yields reaching 4.2 tons/hectare in Sabha compared to 3.0 tons/hectare in Murzuk, while post-harvest losses reached up to 40% for perishable crops due to the lack of cold storage and poor handling. Sabha scored the highest in input access (7.5/10) and market access (8.1/10), whereas Murzuk performed lower across indicators. The study applied Gross Value Added (GVA) [1] and Value-Added Ratio (VAR)[2] to measure economic performance; VAR for honey in Sabha reached 150%, while vegetable farming in Murzuk scored just 44%. The study recommends investment in cold chain logistics, cooperative revitalization, and expanded training—particularly in post-harvest practices. It also emphasizes empowering rural women and increasing youth engagement to support sustainable agricultural development in southern Libya.

[1]⁾    (GVA) :   Gross Value Added: The net contribution of the agricultural sector, calculated by subtracting input costs from total agricultural output.

[2]^{) (}   VAR  ):  Value Added Ratio : The percentage of a product’s value that is generated through local production activities; calculated as (VAR = (  Output Value - Input Costs) / Input Costs) × 100