Damascus, April 8 (SANA) Syria is stepping up efforts to promote rainwater harvesting as part of broader measures to improve water management and strengthen agricultural resilience amid growing climate pressures.
At a two-day workshop organized by the General Commission for Agricultural Scientific Research in cooperation with the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), officials and experts emphasized the increasing importance of capturing and storing rainfall to support sustainable water use.
Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr said the approach is becoming critical as water resources face mounting strain.
“Water harvesting is gaining increasing importance in light of the growing challenges affecting water resources,” Badr said, noting its direct impact on agriculture, environmental sustainability and food security.
He added that collecting and storing rainfall and surface runoff can help expand cultivated areas, boost crop production and support forest reserves used for irrigation and fire prevention.
The workshop brought together researchers, technical experts and representatives of regional and international organizations to examine practical methods for improving water-use efficiency and adapting to climate variability.
Experts from ACSAD presented regional experiences, including projects on rangeland development, mountain water reservoirs and floodwater management, highlighting their role in securing supplementary irrigation and improving agricultural output.
Basel Kamal al-Din, deputy head of the General Commission for Water Resources, said the initiative represents a strategic step toward strengthening water security through expanded infrastructure such as reservoirs and small dams.
Projects are already underway in several provinces, particularly in desert and mountainous areas, he said.
Participants called for increased funding, stronger institutional coordination and the establishment of a specialized body to oversee water harvesting initiatives.
Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing rainfall and surface runoff through engineered systems such as small dams and reservoirs, helping reduce water loss, limit soil erosion and improve agricultural productivity, making it a key tool in addressing drought and declining rainfall.
