A number of Japanese Sakura trees planted in some gardens in Damascus

Damascus (ST): The Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, in cooperation with the Damascus Governorate and the Syrian-Japanese Friendship Association, launched a planting campaign in the gardens surrounding the Umayyad Square in Damascus, during which a number of Japanese Sakura trees were planted.

The Minister of Agriculture, Eng. Muhammad Hassan Qatna, explained that today’s campaign falls within the five afforestation campaigns launched by the Ministry of Agriculture this year, with the aim of expanding the planting of forest trees and increasing the area of vegetation cover, pointing out that the Sakura tree that was planted today is an important symbol for the Japanese people, and  in return, we presented a group of Damascene jasmine seedlings to the Japanese side  to be planted in the Japanese capital, Tokyo.

Qatna stated that the Ministry will multiply this tree through agricultural research centers to plant it in suitable environments in the Syrian territories, pointing out that the Japanese garden in the Dummar will be rehabilitated and organized according to the Japanese perspective of organizing gardens in cooperation with the association.

He referred to the role of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provided the agricultural sector with a lot before the war on Syria, especially agricultural tractors, agricultural equipment and supplies, and grants, and contributed to strengthening relations during the last stage.

The head of the Syrian-Japanese Friendship Association, Professor Yoshita Kasato, referred to the old cooperation between the association and the Syrian side in several fields, the last of which was transporting this tree and planting it in a number of Syrian cities as an expression of the association’s love for the Syrian people and to convey the beauty of Japanese nature.

K.Q.