Damascus, May.25 (SANA) Minister of Agriculture Basel al-Suwaidan explored with the Acting Representative of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Tommaso Perrie, the ministry’s future orientations, ongoing agricultural plans, and mechanisms for enhancing joint cooperation between the two sides.
During the meeting, minister al-Suwaidan emphasized the importance of cooperation with FAO and the support it provides to the agricultural sector.
He noted that the upcoming phase will focus on several key pillars, foremost among them restructuring the ministry, rehabilitating human resources, equipment, laboratories, and agricultural quarantine facilities, as well as modernizing laws and administrative procedures related to the ministry’s work.
The minister stated that the second pillar involves developing the ministry’s strategy and guiding farmers toward economically viable crops, in addition to studying the expansion of agricultural insurance schemes to include crops and livestock.
He added that the third pillar focuses on strengthening agricultural investment, indicating that Syria’s Investment Law has provided significant facilitation for the agricultural sector, enabling new mechanisms to support farmers, achieve tangible impact, and introduce modern technologies and advanced production inputs.
Al-Suwayed also disclosed that work is currently underway to establish a holding company under his chairmanship, incorporating agricultural lands and production projects, aimed at enhancing public-private partnerships and linking the private sector with the ministry through this framework.
FAO representative reviewed ongoing projects implemented in recent months, most notably the launch of the agricultural strategy and its transformation into operational plans, stressing growing interest from international donors in supporting Syria’s transition from recovery to investment and toward building a sustainable agricultural future.
The Ministry of Agriculture launched its national strategy (2026–2030) in February, setting out a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen the agricultural sector’s role in achieving food security, supporting economic growth, contributing to GDP, enhancing sustainable development, improving investment efficiency, and increasing strategic reserves of key food crops.
Ministry of Agriculture and ICARDA discuss development of crop varieties and strengthening research projects
Al-Suwaidan reviewed also with the Director of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) office in Syria, Muhi El-Dine Hilali , the development of agricultural varieties, the strengthening of research projects, and the challenges facing ongoing work.
The minister stressed the importance of focusing on producing new crop strains and reviving traditional agricultural varieties, in order to enhance productivity, in addition to rehabilitating the ICARDA building and laboratories that had been damaged.
Al-Suwaidan outlined that the ministry will review all outstanding files with ICARDA and expressed readiness to provide the necessary facilitation to support joint work.
Al-Hilali presented an overview of ICARDA’s activities and projects implemented during the previous period, particularly those related to wheat development, including the “Sham” varieties, as well as ongoing projects.
He underlined the importance of cooperation and coordination with the ministry to overcome challenges and ensure the continued implementation of research and development projects.
ICARDA, in cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture, launched on October 21 a program aimed at reviving the agricultural sector in Syria, improving infrastructure, restoring productivity, and developing production-oriented projects in partnership with international agricultural organizations and donor agencies.
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