Working together to improve sustainability of food production in Syrian

15 May 2022, Syria – FAO’s Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Near East and North Africa (NENA), AbdulHakeem Elwaer, held a four-day mission in the Syrian Arab Republic studying the agriculture situation, challenges and opportunities in a country that has suffered more than 10 years of crisis.

Elwaer met smallholder farmers who received support from FAO, such as restoration of irrigation or provision of inputs to resume their production activities, as well as officials and other stakeholders.

Meetings included discussions with the Prime Minister; the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Water Resources and Local Administration and Environment; the Planning and International Cooperation Commission; ACSAD; development partners in Damascus and Beirut; and UN colleagues. 

Many potential new avenues for cooperation in line with FAO’s strategic ‘Four Betters’ approach within the country context were highilghted. 

 “Improving agriculture in Syria is fundamental at this stage; working together with all relevant stakeholders will address the pressing needs and benefit the food security of all in Syria,” highlighted Elwaer.

During his field visits in the governorates of Homs and Hama, Elwaer visited sites of FAO’s interventions to witness for himself the impact on the situation of individual farm households. This included rehabilitated water canal sites and meeting the water user association members; farmers’ field schools; a demonstration day for wheat production; food processing units for women; and discussions with young entrepreneurs who are involved in starting up businesses related to the food sector.

 “The rehabilitation of irrigation canals and facilities is a top priority for agriculture, with great benefit for thousands of farmers.  But it is also important that water is used efficiently, that losses are reduced which might enable farmers to irrigate a second crop,” he stated.

“Productivity and sustainability go hand in hand. Farmers have the right to access sustainable and adaptable production inputs along with smart technical solutions to protect their livelihoods. FAO stands by farmers and will continue to seek resources for projects to strengthen their resilience to shocks, climate change and limitation of resources,” Elwaer added

Elwaer particularly emphasized the importance of sustainability and economic empowerment of smallholder farmers to become productive and self-reliant.  

As a result of the mission, a new framework document for FAO’s cooperation in Syria will be drafted, covering the areas of agriculture, water resources and the environment, and strategic priorities in the area of early recovery.