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Syria's Minister of Agriculture, Engineer Basel al-Suwaidan, has announced the imminent launch of a series of vital agricultural projects in Idlib province. This initiative is part of the government's broader efforts to enhance agricultural production and rural development, encompassing the establishment of a sheep research center, upgrading olive oil quality testing facilities, expanding land restoration works, and supporting irrigation and livestock development.
The announcement came during a meeting between Minister al-Suwaidan, Idlib Governor Mohammad Abdul Rahman, and representatives of the province's agricultural sector. Discussions focused on challenges facing agriculture and strategies to boost production and strengthen rural development.
Following the meeting, the minister toured the provincial Directorate of Agriculture and the Olive Office, where he reviewed plans to support olive cultivation, one of Idlib's key agricultural sectors. He also visited olive groves in the Maarat Misrin area, met with farmers to discuss production and marketing challenges, and inspected land restoration works in Saraqib aimed at returning farmland affected by years of conflict to agricultural production.
Speaking to SANA, Engineer al-Suwaidan reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring access to essential agricultural inputs. He noted that the Olive Office had reopened after its headquarters' rehabilitation and would soon be equipped with a specialized laboratory for olive oil quality analysis and testing.
The minister also announced plans to establish a sheep research center in the al-Rouj area, in cooperation with the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD). He described this project as part of broader endeavors to strengthen livestock development in the region.
Al-Suwaidan further explained that the ministry is expanding efforts to remove earthen military berms that have rendered large agricultural areas unusable, supplying the necessary machinery to accelerate this work. He added that additional embankments would be constructed in the al-Siha area as a precautionary measure against winter flooding.
Mohammad Zakaria Qawas, director of the Olive Office in Syria, stated that the reopening of the office would strengthen field services and improve both the quantity and quality of olive production. Plans include establishing certified olive nurseries, equipping the new laboratory to obtain internationally recognized testing certification, cooperating with the private sector to develop olive oil storage facilities, and providing farmers with modern cultivation techniques.
The minister's visit aligns with the government's comprehensive plan to revive productive sectors across Syria and support agriculture, which remains a cornerstone of the country's economy.