Structure of Syrian agriculture sector in public, cooperative and private activities
Syria, Economics, 2/19/1999

The control of the government in Syria on the agricultural sector was established through the creation of special state-run organizations which are responsible for the process.

In some sectors the complete process (production, pricing and marketing) was put under government control; in others, private enterprises retained their autonomy in some parts of the process; and in some sub-sectors private companies remained completely independent.

Since land reform was introduced in the late fifties, legal limits on land-holding were further reduced and the government expropriated large areas. As a result of land reform properties of 2-25 hectares, which represented only 30% of total land under cultivation in 1958, represented 93% in 1975.

In the beginning of the eighties, further expropriations and further reductions in the average size of agricultural holdings took place. Approximately 69% of cropped land is exploited by the private sector. Furthermore, about 20 state farms are active, run by central department for state farms, and 4,500 cooperatives are active with approximately 570,000 members.

However, the government self-sufficiency policy has been directed towards achieving self-sufficiency in cereals (which are considered strategic) and in the production of agricultural inputs for manufacturing. Self-sufficiency in these sectors should free foreign currency needed to purchase imports.

For this reason and in order to stimulate farmers in "choosing the right crops," prices for wheat in Syria over the recent years have consistently been approximately double the international market value. It is however not unreasonable to expect that the policy to maintain government control may have a limiting influence on reaching self sufficiency.

Since 1990, the government has started to soften its influence on agricultural policy. Subsidies for pesticides, seeds and sacks have been eliminated and further step took place in 1992 to reduce the fertilizer subsidy.

As an element of compensation for the farmers, prices of produce involved have subsequently been increased. Restrictions on the importation of certain elements like pesticides, fertilizers and other products were gradually abolished. It is obvious that this policy means relaxing government control. This way may be one of the reasons that the liberalization process in the agricultural sector is proceeding gradually.

On the state control in the agricultural input sector, the import of seeds in Syria requires a preregistration of every variety requested for import. The following documents are needed for this procedure:

-Registration form to be presented to the department of agriculture affairs at the ministry of agriculture;

-Two samples should be supplied for conducting trials at the research center;

-Two catalogues from the producing company which describe for registration, and

-Trial's cost amounting to 10,000 Syrian pounds (US $200) for each variety to be paid in advance.

After the registration of the seed's variety, a proforma invoice is needed to obtain the import license. For further approach the following documents are required: Legalized invoices; certificate of origin issued in the country of origin, phyto -sanitary certificate and fill set of the B/L. Bill of Lading. The above mentioned certificates should be legalized by the chamber of commerce in the country of origin and by the Syrian embassy, in the respective country.

Each package should bear a label in the Arabic language containing the following information: type of crop; variety name; production date; germination percentage on the packaging date, purity percentage, chemicals used for treating the seeds, and the name of the producing company and origin.

Upon arrival at the entrance point the seeds will be subject to examination and laboratory analysis. The samples of seeds should be delivered under a confidential code to the laboratory of the seeds health center belongs to the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture.

The two involved departments will notify on the import license to permit the importers to release the parcel.

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