Quneitra (SANA) Quneitra is preparing for this year’s pomegranate harvest, with production expected to reach 2,040 tonnes, despite challenges facing farmers, including water shortages, rising agricultural costs and repeated Israeli occupation attacks.
Pomegranates support rural livelihoods
Khitam al-Samiyah of the Quneitra Agriculture Directorate told SANA those pomegranates are a key source of income for many families in the southern countryside, with the fruit also used to make traditional products such as molasses and jams.
The province has 218 hectares planted with around 111,000 pomegranate trees, of which 73,000 are currently productive, according to the directorate.
Irrigation key to crop quality
Al-Samiyah said fruit cracking is among the main problems affecting the crop’s market value, largely due to irregular irrigation during the ripening stage.
The Agriculture Directorate advises farmers to maintain consistent watering schedules, avoid sudden changes in irrigation and provide trees with essential nutrients, particularly potassium and calcium, to strengthen the fruit’s skin and improve quality.
Farmers face rising costs and access restrictions
Farmer Mohammad Khair Harouni said rising fuel and electricity prices have increased the cost of operating irrigation pumps, while expensive fertilizers and pesticides have added to farmers’ financial pressures.
He also cited repeated Israeli incursions and attacks, which he said restrict traders and crop buyers from reaching agricultural areas, raising concerns over produce accumulating and spoiling.
Quneitra’s fertile soil and favorable climate support the cultivation of various fruit trees, with pomegranates gaining popularity in both irrigated and rain-fed areas and contributing to local food production and agricultural processing.
kA/MZN
