Damascus, July 27 (SANA) Syrian Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan and Lebanese Agriculture Minister Nizar Hany held talks in Damascus on strengthening agricultural cooperation, coordinating policies, and facilitating the flow of agricultural products between the two countries.
Al-Suwaidan said Syria has extensive agricultural areas requiring greater investment and stressed the importance of supporting farmers by improving agricultural marketing, export processes, and access to markets.
He said the ministry continues to modernize agricultural extension services through modern irrigation systems, solar energy, and early warning systems for drought and humidity, while updating legislation, developing laboratories, and improving the quality of fertilizers and pesticides.
Al-Suwaidan also highlighted efforts to expand private-sector partnerships, benefit from international expertise in livestock production, implement cattle farm investment projects with a Brazilian company, and support farmers by providing production inputs through an interest-free loan mechanism.
Hany said the agricultural sectors of Syria and Lebanon are complementary and offer broad opportunities for cooperation. He invited al-Suwaidan to participate in the Agri Lebanon exhibition and called for an agricultural protocol to regulate product flows and ease congestion at border crossings.
He also reviewed the work of seven joint committees coordinating agricultural cooperation and unifying laboratory testing procedures.
On Sunday, the two ministers attended the opening of the International Exhibition and Conference for the Agriculture, Food, and Industry Sectors in Syria, which brought together more than 200 exhibitors from 14 countries.
Speaking during a dialogue session on the sidelines of Food Syria 2026, Hany said food security is a shared responsibility and stressed the importance of regional cooperation to address water scarcity, climate change, and sustainable food production. The Food Syria 2026, AgriTEK, and 4P Syria exhibitions are being held from July 26 to 28 at the new Damascus International Fairgrounds.
M.F / ABD
