Launch of activities of agricultural sector development forum
In the presence of Prime Minister, Engineer Hussein Arnous, the activities of the agricultural sector development forum- challenges and opportunities- were launched today under the slogan (Towards a Developmental and Competitive Agricultural Economy) at the Umayyad Conferences Palace in Damascus.
The forum discusses the challenges facing the agricultural sector at the level of macro-policies and local economies for each product, classifying these challenges, defining the roles associated with each party to complete the sustainable production process and restructuring the agricultural sector as a major component of the national economy. Identifying the appropriate alternatives and analyzing the production stages and problems and presenting alternative policy proposals and a flexible organizational structure for the agricultural sector will be put on the table during the forum.
The Ministry of Agriculture stated that the forum will allow the meeting between the participants in the specialized workshops and dialogue between them by presenting most of the main products, analyzing the current and new situations targeted to be reached, and defining the difficulties and the proposed solutions.
On the sidelines of the opening, an exhibition of agricultural machinery, modern and upgraded equipment, and renewable energy equipment will be held.
At the opening ceremony, Premier Arnous clarified that the government is following up the implementation of the general policies and directions laid down by President Bashar Al-Assad which defined the reality and prospects for the development of the agricultural sector. He underlined the government’s keenness to find the necessary mechanisms to put them into action, pointing out that the government has attached great importance to the agricultural sector due to its economic, political and strategic importance.
Eng. Arnous explained that the agricultural sector remained cohesive, strong and capable of securing the elements of economic steadfastness, and it also remained the most effective means of confronting the unjust western economic blockade on Syria.
Eng. Arnous pointed out that the agricultural sector is the basis of the national economy by virtue of its role in our society and economy, underlining the need to develop a clear practical plan to enable project owners to reach their goals.
We all have confidence in the creative Syrian mind and our research centers, which will be partners in the next stage, so that the sector will be able to meet the needs of consumers, the Premier added.
The Minister of Agriculture, Engineer Muhammad Hassan Qatana, stated in his speech that the difficult conditions experienced by Syria during the years of the war, including targeting the infrastructure and production facilities, had a negative impact on the agricultural and livestock sectors.
Qatana highlighted the importance of cooperation, interaction and partnership between the various ministries and parties concerned with this sector to meet the challenges and address the obstacles that hinder the development of the agricultural sector. He stressed that a comprehensive vision must be laid down and developed in cooperation, partnership and integration among all sectors to define priorities, policies and goals in an effective and vital way.
“The government supported the agricultural sector and worked to provide the necessary infrastructure for this sector, so it worked to establish agricultural colleges in most governorates, which in turn increased the number of farmers and academics,” Qatana said.
Qatana called for redoubling efforts to upgrade the agricultural situation and overcome the difficulties that hinder its development. He highlighted the necessity of providing material, moral and logistical support to farmers, providing them with production requirements, and securing agricultural and veterinary medicines, pesticides and fertilizers at reasonable prices that take into account the conditions of farmers.
Inas Abdulkareem