Development of horticulture in Syria
Syria, Agriculture, 4/2/1999

The agricultural sector in the Syrian economy has traditionally been heavily dependent on the level and distribution of rainfall as 80% of the land under cultivation is rain-fed. In spite of various ambitious irrigation projects, this dependency has not fundamentally changed over the years, because of salination of irrigated lands.

As the rains and the snow in the winter period of 1991- 1992 were abundant almost everywhere and caused a record output, the agricultural sector provided a major stimulus to the economy in 1991-1992.

Through various measures, including liberalizing old regulations and providing new incentives, the government is trying to further boost this sector, aiming at further and sustained self-sufficiency in crucial sectors. The basic vulnerability of the Syrian agricultural sector however persists.

As for fruit production, tree crops are the success story of the eighties in Syria's agricultural development. This sector had further intensive development in the 1990s.

Areas growing olives have increased from 250,000 hectares in 1980 to 438,000 hectares in 1996. This area produced 647,000 tons in 1996. The production is covering local demand and created the possibility of starting several processing plants and the creation of two exporting companies (one of them is a Dutch joint venture).

Grapes are the second crop in terms of area. From 70,000 hectares in 1996, 540,000 tons of fruits were harvested. The surplus is availing a good chance for processing and export.

Apple orchards have increased from 25,000 hectares to 47,000 hectares. Some 301,000 tonnes of apples were harvested in 1996. This tree succeeded in the mountains and highlands.

Oranges, the main item in the citrus family of tree crops, have increased from 4,000 hectares in 1980 to 12,600 hectares in 1996. This area has produced 341,000 tons in 1994, 303,000 tonnes in 1995 and 372,000 tons in 1996. The success of the citrus development is so great that Syria stopped importing fruits altogether around the mid-eighties and has become a substantial exporter since then.

In mid 1990's the export possibilities declined substantially due to the pest infection on orange trees in coastal area. Since 1994 the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture has introduced new technique to combat the white fly affects on citrus trees. The biological control technology was introduced gradually and by now this problem seems to be over.

Not only have surface areas increased, but so has the average yield. The good revenue of fruits sales supported the farmers in improving their farming patterns by using drip irrigation systems and adding organic and soluble fertilizers. The average of this yield is expected to continue to increase enormously over the forthcoming short period.

The following data shows the production sites of the major fruit crops: Olives: 438,000 hectares; the main production areas are Aleppo 34%, Idleb 24% and Lattakia 7%. Grapes: 70,000 hectares; the main production areas are Homs 39% and Sweida 11%. Pistachio: 58,000 hectares; the main production areas are Aleppo 44% and Hama 32%. Apples: 46,900 hectares; the main production areas are Damascus 34% and Sweida 21%. Oranges: 12,600 hectares; the main production areas are the coastal zone, Tartous and Lattakia.

The majority of farmers combine 2-3 different fruit crops in their fields. On the other side, the Ministry of Agriculture is running about 14 pilot farms with a total area of 27,500 hectares, out of which 1,000 hectares are cultivated with fruit trees.

Previous Stories:
  Agriculture in Syria and the Euphrates   (3/26/1999)
  Rainfall and irrigation in Syria   (3/19/1999)
  Agricultural production circumstances in Syria   (2/26/1999)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search