Meet the Singaporeans who run an eco-friendly olive farm in Lebanon

Despite constant threat of danger, Mae Lam and her family produce high-quality olive oil

- Eileen Ng Correspondent

The incessant whine of drones and whizzing of rockets are a constant occurrence as Singaporean Mae Lam and her family tend to their olive farm in southern Lebanon.

The farm is 60km from the Israeli border. Once, a rocket fell nearby and their house vibrated, and stones from the mountain fell onto the main road, recalled Ms Lam, 59.

“The drones are there 24/7 to put fear into people's lives, even during the ceasefire,” she said, referring to the Israel-Lebanon truce inked on Nov 27, 2024.

The 10ha farm with 700 olive trees is located in the village of Houmine al-Tahta in southern Lebanon. The region is famous for its olive production.

The farm, Beit Ballout (House Ballout), produces high-quality olive oil. It also grows plants like sage, lavender, bay leaf, orange and longan trees.

Despite the persistent threat and impending danger, Ms Lam’s family and their workers have soldiered on, especially during harvesting season, which started in October.

“If we leave this world doing it, we are happy,” she said, adding that they have adapted to the Lebanese resilience and of living life to the fullest.

After all, it was a long-cherished dream for Ms Lam and her Lebanese husband Adib Ballout to build a home in southern Lebanon and enjoy the fruits of the land.

That dream came true in 2018 when they decided to work on the Ballouts’ family land.

For him, it means connecting further with his roots. For her, it is fulfilling a dream of living and working on a farm.