Minister of Agriculture discusses withWFP the establishment of new agricultural projects

On April 13th, the Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Eng. Muhammad Hassan Qatana, met with the Deputy Country Director of the World Food Program of the United Nations in Damascus, Ross Smith.

The two sides discussed the implemented projects and the priorities of cooperation for the next stage, especially in the areas of plant and animal production, agricultural research and rural development and difficulties.

Minister Qatana pointed to the great interest that the organization attaches to the water sector and the need for diversity in the distribution of financial resources in accordance with the policies of the Ministry of Agriculture, so that cooperation includes all areas that serve the agricultural sector and producers and contribute to improving their income and increasing production.

Minister Qatna stressed the importance of developing the natural reserves in the Badia and its protection system, reviving the grazing vegetation cover and planting and seed production centers in addition to rehabilitating wells, using renewable energy, rehabilitating nurseries for the production of fruitful plants and equipping them with modern technologies.

In turn, Smith noted the support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture to the activities implemented by the WFP in Syria.

Smith said that last year the number of program beneficiaries reached about 7 million people, including 6 million who received emergency food aid and one million people through livelihood interventions.

Smith pointed out that the WFP supports irrigation and drainage systems, water harvesting, agricultural and food interventions at the family and regional levels, especially in the governorates of Deir ez-Zor and Aleppo.

Smith stressed the importance of studying the impact of the implemented projects, setting priorities for the next stage, and setting a joint plan for several years to come.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Fayez Al-Miqdad, the Director General of the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Dr. Magda Mufleh, the directors of animal production, planning and international cooperation in the ministry, in addition to the director of the Natural Resources Research Department.

O. al-Mohammad