The Minister of Agriculture discusses with IFAD representatives mechanisms to continue supporting livestock projects

Damascus (ST): The Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Eng. Mohamed Hassan Qatna, discussed with the head of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Omar Ibrahim Engy and his accompanying delegation, aspects of cooperation in the next stage, especially with regard to continuing to support the livestock development project.

Minister Qatna stressed the importance of renewing and expanding the project’s support and continuing with the established programs, especially in light of the difficult conditions faced by this sector, such as the lack of pastures, the high prices of fodder and the impact of climate changes, pointing out that the Feed Corporation distributes half a million tons of fodder annually at subsidized prices .

Minister Qatna referred to the role that the Fund can play, in terms of counting the number of livestock using modern technologies to deliver fodder to those who deserve it, stressing the importance of expanding the Fund’s work through development projects in areas that need intervention, and the introduction of new technologies in the field of farm management, in addition to the possibility of financing a project specialized in establishing a company to market agricultural products, linked to the farmer by specific contracts, and contributing to identifying the required varieties, and supporting their cultivation and marketing internally and externally.

For his part, the head of the mission expressed his readiness to cooperate in the areas that were presented, as they are the priorities of the mission’s work in the next phase, praising the efforts of the Syrian government to continue the work of the livestock development project, explaining that field tours will be carried out, and assess the current reality of the project, and determine priorities, and possible aspects of support.

K.Q.