Damascus, SANA- Minister of Agriculture Dr. Amjad Badr met with the Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Syria, Khalifa Abdullah al Mahmoud, to explore ways of supporting the agricultural sector in Syria and overcoming obstacles to its advancement.
During the meeting, which took place Tuesday at the ministry’s headquarters in Damascus, both sides emphasized the need to intensify discussions and considered the possibility of forming a joint technical committee comprising experts from various fields.
This committee would assess the current state of Syrian agriculture and evaluate the country’s needs to enhance its agricultural infrastructure.
Minister Badr highlighted the importance of strengthening relations and opening investment opportunities between the two countries, praising Qatar’s efforts in standing by Syria since the beginning of the revolution.
He also pointed to the detrimental impact of the war waged by the previous regime on agricultural infrastructure, production institutions, irrigation networks, grain silos, and the availability of essential equipment and technologies necessary for driving agricultural production forward. Additionally, he noted the harm inflicted on livestock due to feed shortages.
The minister further explained that drought has caused significant damage to rain-fed crops, affecting production rates. He outlined the ministry’s plans to secure production supplies and utilize available lands in accordance with national agricultural needs, supporting farmers within the limits of current resources.
Minister Badr also stressed the necessity of modernizing irrigation networks to optimize water consumption, regulate water sources, and achieve positive outcomes in cultivating crops in areas experiencing water scarcity.
For his part, the Qatari Embassy’s Acting Charge d’Affaires emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between the two countries, increasing engagements, and working towards providing Syria with the necessary resources and strategic plans to rebuild its agricultural sector after the hardships of war.
Reem Safi /Manar Salameh
