Tartous, SANA- Olive cultivation in Tartous is not only a vital economic sector but also a cherished cultural tradition. Families across the governorate celebrate the annual harvest, which sustains thousands of livelihoods.
This year, however, severe drought has sharply reduced yields, with production expected at just 25,500 tons despite the presence of 11 million olive trees.
Tartous Agriculture Director Hassan Hamadeh said in a statement to SANA that “insufficient cold hours and natural biennial cycles as key factors behind the decline”.
He added: “Tartous ranks fourth in Syria for olive cultivation, dominated by the “Daeibli” variety”.
Since 2015, new disease-resistant strains have been introduced to strengthen resilience, while organic farming practices and modern presses underscore the sector’s sustainability efforts, according to the statement.
Rafah/Manar
