History of Syrian agriculture
Syria-Regional, History, 1/29/1999

The earliest prehistoric remains of human habitation found in Syria and Palestine are from the Middle Paleolithic period. In the next stage are remains of rhinoceros and of men who are classified as intermediate between Neanderthal and modern types.

The Mesolithic Period is best represented by the Natufian culture, which was spread along, and some distance behind, the coast of the Levant. The Natufian supported life by fishing, hunting and gathering grains that, in their wild state, were indigenous to the country. This condition was gradually superseded by the domestication of animals, the cultivation of crops, and the production of pottery.

Excavations at Tel Mureybet in Syria have revealed a settlement near where the inhabitants made pottery and cultivated einkorn, a single-grained wheat, as early as the ninth millennium.

Metallurgy, particularly the production of bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) appeared after the mid fourth millennium. The first cities emerged shortly thereafter.

The splendor of the Syrian culture is seen in the magnificence of the cities -- Antioch, ranking among the greatest cities of the empire, was the residence of the governor and later of the governor Orientis, who governed the diocese of the East.

This splendor is also evident in their schools of rhetoric, law and medicine, in their art, literature and philosophy, and in the variety of their religions. Since the dawn of history, Syria has played a central role in the development of civilization. In its lands ancient civilizations blossomed and human cultures mingled together. In its soil man has recorded his life-time story on pottery and stones alike.

The story of agriculture started in Syria almost ten thousand years ago, when man realized the relation between the seeds, water and the soil. This connection was manifested during the time of Ebla Kingdom whose frontiers extended from Aleppo's plains to al-Balikh to the east and the Orentos to the south. The successive rulers of Ebla (an ancient kingdom in Northern Syria) used the agricultural surplus as means of income to fortify and strengthen the kingdom by means of boosting trade of agricultural products.

Among the most cultivated crops that enabled Ebla to occupy such a prominent position were cereals, vine-grapes and olives. In our modern times, Syria has restored its agricultural sector following long ages of negligence. This qualitative change has led to a tangible increase in agricultural yields and a noticeable increase in the country's agricultural sector's contribution to 30% of the country's return.

Agriculture continues to be a pillar of Syria's economy. In 1996 the sector accounted for 31% of the GDP and employed about 28% of the country's labor forces. Large segments of local industry are dependent on agricultural raw materials and especially in regional trade, exports of agricultural produce have traditionally played an important role for retaining hard currency.

In terms of output, Syria's crops are wheat, barely, cotton, legumes, citrus fruits and sugar beets. The production of fruits and vegetables has gained a remarkable surpluses in recent years. The terminal markets are 90% local and 10% external.

Cotton is Syria's main cash crop. Most agricultural activity is in the hands of small private farmers who are estimated to work around 62% of all land holdings. Around 35% are cultivated by farmers grouped in cooperatives, with small areas of state-controlled land accounting for the rest.

Large mixed sector agro-industrial enterprises were first established in 1987, but the companies that have been formed so far do not currently account for a significant proportion of either land holdings or output. Inputs were cut and the pricing and marketing of many crops was largely left to market conditions.

Only in the field of stable crops does the state maintain a monopoly on setting prices and marketing produce. Even here, farmers are regularly permitted to sell a proportion of their harvest on the free market. Industrial crops like sugar beets and tobacco remain tightly controlled.

Syria has experienced a series of outstanding harvests in most areas. Output of cereals and cotton in particular has reached record heights. Meanwhile, fruit and vegetable production has increased substantially.

Due to the expandable use of greenhouses, farmers have been able to extend the natural seasons and diversify output. Artificial fertilizers are becoming an ever more important ingredient in local farming, making the import of necessary inputs a must and creating a potential agricultural trading climate.

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