Damascus, Oct. 26 (SANA) An agricultural investment and trade forum opened in Damascus on Monday, bringing together officials and stakeholders to explore investment opportunities, strengthen agricultural value chains and address food security challenges in Syria.
The forum, focused on value chains for priority agricultural commodities, is organized by the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), in cooperation with Syria’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Discussions focus on agricultural investment, food security, financing mechanisms and risk management, as well as opportunities for partnerships to support the recovery and long-term sustainability of Syria’s agricultural sector.
Participants are also examining priority agricultural value chains and the role of contract farming in connecting producers with markets and strengthening the sector.
Ministry outlines agricultural investment strategy
Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Policy and Rural Development Mohammad Youssef al-Miqdad said agricultural investment and food security require a shift away from traditional production models toward partnerships that link farming with logistics, storage and food processing.
Speaking at the opening session, al-Miqdad stressed the importance of developing flexible and inclusive agricultural value chains capable of withstanding economic and environmental challenges.
He said the ministry is preparing a strategic investment plan that includes a governorate-by-governorate map of agricultural opportunities, identifying potential projects, existing obstacles and measures needed to address them.
Syria could help narrow Arab food gap
Ali Moussa, a representative of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, warned that heavy reliance on food imports remains a major challenge to food security across the Arab region.
He said persistent gaps between domestic production and consumption of essential commodities, particularly grains, have left Arab countries dependent on imports from outside the region.
Moussa identified Syria as one of the countries with the potential to help narrow the region’s food production gap, particularly in grains and legumes.
He said the assessment was based on agricultural production data and studies conducted by the organization across its member countries.
The forum also provides an opportunity to examine investment prospects, agricultural financing tools and partnerships aimed at improving production, strengthening supply chains and supporting sustainable agricultural development in Syria.
N.J/ ABD
