Wheat Production Estimated at 2 Million Tonnes in 2017: Minister

HASSAKA, (ST)- Agricultural in Syria is one of the major sectors that has managed to continue working despite the terrorist war imposed on Syria and it is one of the vital sectors that enjoys government support, Minister of Agriculture Ahmad al-Qaderi has stressed.

His remarks came during a meeting with officials concerned in the agricultural situation in Hassaka province. The meeting focused on increasing the support provided to the agricultural sector  through preparing a plan for the recovery of this sector being a basic supporter of national economy.

 Al-Qaderi said that the government support is represented in increasing the Agriculture Ministry’s investment plan from 7 billion Syrian Pounds to 15 billion Syrian Pounds, besides earmarking USD 24 million for other agricultural projects and research.

According to al-Qaderi, the government spent 615 million Syrian pounds in compensation for the damage caused to farmers’ properties due to weather conditions and it vows to continue compensating affected farmers  this year.

He pointed out that though strategic agricultural crops have been affected, an area of 1.169 million hectare was planted to wheat, adding that early production estimations indicate that wheat production will reach 2 million tonnes this year.

Hamda Mustafa