Discussion on agricultural sector amid crisis held in Damascus

DAMASCUS,(ST)_Prime Minister has affirmed the government’s keenness to secure all requirements of food security and agricultural production to carry out strategic agricultural plans.

Dr. Wael al-Halqi said: “The government is seeking to ensure all requirements of agricultural production process and it attaches great importance to localization of agro-industries in all provinces and marketing crops inside the country and abroad in order to improve the peasants’ living conditions and to enhance their stability in their lands.” 

He praised the Syrian farmers’ steadfastness during the current circumstances which the country s going through, noting that the General Union of the farmers played a key role in formulating  the national economic decision and in drawing up plans to upgrade the agricultural sector.

In addition, al-Halqi confirmed that meeting citizens’ basic needs is among the government’s priorities. “The government continues subsidize the  basic needs and it allocated Syrian pound 50 billion to compensate the citizens affected by the crisis.”

The premier’s remark was made during the meeting of the General Union of the Farmers held today in Damascus to debate means of removing obstacles that face agricultural sector.

For his part, The Baath Arab Socialist Party’s Assistant Regional Secretary Hilal Hilal said that the ongoing war on Syria aims at destroying the national economy which has kept food security and self-efficiency as a guarantee for sovereignty of national decisions.

He explained how the armed terrorist groups are working systematically to notch up this goal.

Plans

Agriculture Minister Eng. Ahmad al-Qadri said that there is a plan to develop livestock in provinces, noting that a committee has been formed to amend the law of protecting forest wealth.

He added that the export of sheep is based on recommendations of a committee that defines the surplus of sheep after taking the needs of local market into account. “Some 200.000 sheep were exported last year.”

Al-Qadri also cited that that ministry is working to increase the resources of the Fund of mitigating the effects of drought and natural disasters with a view to raise compensation to affected farmers.

Water Resources Minister Eng. Bassam Hanna clarified that 88% of water resources are being used for agricultural purposes while 9% as drinking water and 3% in sectors of industry and tourism.

He talked about the main points in the ministry’s strategy.

Economy and Foreign Trade Minister Kheder Orphali stressed that oil derivates are available but the problem is in hauling  them to all provinces especially in the eastern part of the country where the armed terrorist groups attack convoys.   

The meeting discussed in details all problems that face the implementation of the agricultural plans, according to the official news agency.

Basma Qaddour