Damascus, SANA- Minister of Agriculture Dr. Amjad Badr met Tuesday with Peter McDermott, Director of British-Syrian Development, and Jameson Zizai, Director of the Local Resilience Building Program for Farmers at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to discuss the agricultural situation in Syria and ways to support farmers.
During the meeting, held at the ministry’s headquarters, Minister Badr outlined the hardships faced by the sector after 14 years of systematic destruction that has affected infrastructure and agricultural lands.
He highlighted the loss of vast areas for investment due to forced displacement and the presence of numerous landmines, which have negatively impacted plant and livestock production.
The minister pointed to the decline in livestock, the losses suffered, the deterioration of natural pastures, and the severe shortage of imported fodder, which fails to meet the needs of livestock.
He explained that replacing imported fodder with rationed alternatives has posed a significant threat to livestock and harmed farmers who struggle to secure feed amid the ministry’s limited ability to provide it at affordable prices.
Minister Badr also emphasized that drought has severely affected the current agricultural season, reducing farmers’ ability to prepare for the next cycle.
He noted the ministry’s focus on developing modern irrigation techniques to address groundwater depletion, despite difficulties in securing financial resources, skilled personnel, and reliable agricultural data. To address the issue, the ministry is working on an organized project to revamp agricultural statistics and verify their accuracy.
For his part, McDermott stressed the importance of providing support to revitalize Syria’s agricultural sector.
He discussed the organization’s Local Resilience Building Program in Syria, supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, which aims to create a solid foundation for farmers to overcome challenges in cultivating their land.
The program also seeks to develop the necessary infrastructure for agricultural operations, ensuring access to essential materials without dependence on external aid, while offering technical consultations and much-needed assistance.
Manar/Ruaa al-Jazaeri
