Conflict devastates Syria's agricutural sector

A UN mission reports the extent of damage on Syria's agricultural sector as the civil war continues. Cereal, fruit and vegetable production has dropped for some by half and massive destruction of irrigation and other infrastructure.

The mission, from 18 to 22 January, was coordinated with both the government and the opposition and visited several affected areas in Damascus as well as in the governorates of Homs and Dara'a. The mission team was composed of emergency directors from seven UN humanitarian agencies and led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

"Destruction of infrastructure in all sectors is massive and it is clear that the longer the conflict will last, the longer it will take to rehabilitate it," said Dominique Burgeon, director of FAO's Emergency and Rehabilitation Division, who participated in the missio.
Of the 10 million Syrians who live in rural areas - about 46 percent of the population - 80 percent derive their livelihoods from agriculture.

According to the mission:

-Wheat and barley production dropped to less than 2 million tonnes last year from 4 to 4.5 million tonnes in normal years.

-Vegetable, fruit and olive production declined significantly in both Homs and Dara'a Governorates, including a 60 percent drop in vegetable production in Homs and a 40 percent drop in olive oil production in Dara'a.

-Only 45% of the farmers were able to fully harvest their cereal crops while 14 percent reported they could not harvest due to insecurity and lack of fuel.  

-There is a lack of access to agricultural inputs including quality seeds and fertilizers.

-There is a lack of irrigation due to damage to main irrigation canals especially in Homs and lack of fuel for irrigation pumps.

-Movement of livestock to grazing areas has not been possible and their survival is compromised by the lack of animal feed and veterinary drugs, the importation of which is hAir Jordan VII 7 Retro